Reactions To Demi Moore’s Body Horror Film At The Cannes Film Festival

Demi Moore played the role of Elizabeth in Coralie Fargeat’s recent release, The Substance, which premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The body horror Hollywood satire elicited different reactions from the audience, from awe to allegations of it being “anti-men.”

The film addressed issues such as unrealistic beauty standards, toxic masculinity, female self-hatred, and the like, and featured some nudity and violence as well. Demi said filming demanded a “level of vulnerability and rawness” with her body, and she has no regrets leaning in.

An introduction to ‘The Substance’

Demi’s character is a celebrity who, out of fear of aging and losing her superficial status, gets a mysterious substance that creates her younger self. Margaret Qualley played Demi’s younger self, whom the star praised for being “a great partner” on set.

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The duo portrayed the bizarre extent to which Hollywood female stars go to maintain youthfulness while defying the “male perspective of the ideal woman.” Sam Adams described the movie as “hilarious, unsettling, gory as hell,” and “a feminist parable for splatter junkies.” Demi thanked filmmaker Coralie for telling the gory plot with such “sensitivity” whilst passing an important message across.

Demi Moore responds to anti-men accusations

During her speech at Cannes, Demi addressed the idea that Coralie is “anti-men,” clarifying that she is more aptly put, “anti-jerk.” Co-star Dennis Quaid, who played TV producer Harvey, buttressed Demi’s statement, adding that Colarie “hates assholes” instead. His character fired Demi’s because she was too old for his show, replacing her with her younger self.

Coralie expressed her aim to create awareness of violence against women’s bodies and unrealistic expectations placed on them by the industry and internalized self-hate. She cited how most eating disorders or extreme anti-aging measures are inflicted on women and not men. Critic David Ehrlich echoed The Substance’s goal to expose the “ruthless beauty standards that society has inflicted upon women for thousands of years.”