Demi Moore’s ‘exhilarating, batshit’ body horror film The Substance is the talk of Cannes 2024
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Demi Moore has made a stunning comeback at the Cannes Film Festival with her new movie, “The Substance,” directed by Coralie Fargeat. The 61-year-old actress plays the role of Elisabeth Sparkle, a celeb daytime TV host who takes a black-market cell replication substance to create a younger version of herself, portrayed by Margaret Qualley. The film delves into themes of beauty standards, toxic masculinity, and female self-hatred, all while showcasing frequent nudity and gruesome violence.
“The Substance” premiered at Cannes to a 13-minute standing ovation and has garnered high praise from critics. Indiewire calls it an “epic, audacious body horror masterpiece,” while Variety describes it as a fusion of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and “Showgirls.” The film currently holds a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score, with only two out of 25 reviews scoring it as “rotten.”
Many are hailing “The Substance” as Demi Moore’s comeback, with the BBC noting her fearless performance that parodies her public image. Moore herself mentioned that the film pushed her out of her comfort zone but that the explicit imagery was necessary to tell the story. Fargeat, the director, emphasized the importance of showcasing extreme violence on screen to reflect the extreme violence that women often do to their bodies.
In a surprising turn of events, Moore’s beloved chihuahua, Pilaf, stole the spotlight at Cannes, accompanying her on the red carpet photocall. Pilaf has been Moore’s constant companion at various events and even made an appearance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” The adorable pooch has captured the hearts of many and is now eagerly awaited for her potential acting debut.
While no release date has been announced for “The Substance,” distribution company MUBI has acquired worldwide rights to the film and plans to release it theatrically in several countries. The film’s provocative themes and Moore’s captivating performance are sure to make it a must-see for audiences eager for a unique cinematic experience.
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Cannes Film Festival
