As a movie enthusiast who has seen more than a few behind-the-scenes documentaries, I must say that the making of “The Substance” feels like a real-life horror story. The sheer determination and resilience displayed by Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley is nothing short of extraordinary. Their dedication to their craft, despite the physical and mental hardships they faced, is a testament to their commitment as artists.
During the making of Coralie Fargeat’s latest body horror flick titled, [Title of the movie], Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley shared harrowing tales that could have been scripted for a horror film on their own. The unique requirements of Fargeat’s production called for an unprecedented level of intensity from both actresses, causing anxiety attacks, health issues, and weight loss. Fortunately, the filming was successfully wrapped up in October 2022.
The LA Times conducted an extensive and heartfelt conversation with both Moore and Qualley during the making of ‘The Substance’, which brought to light the grueling hurdles they encountered on set. Day-to-day fatigue was a common consequence of filming, but that wasn’t even the tip of the iceberg. According to Moore:
“During my first full week without work, which only involved Margaret, I contracted shingles and ended up losing approximately 20 pounds.
Much like Qualley’s character, her preparation involved intense physical conditioning, with the actress dedicating multiple months prior to filming to weight lifting and aerobic training. In addition to this, for several shooting days, she wore heavy prosthetics which triggered anxiety attacks from her claustrophobia.
In the eagerly awaited sequel to Fargeat’s initial film “Revenge,” we follow Elizabeth Shine, a renowned Oscar-winning TV fitness instructor portrayed by Moore, who is shockingly let go on her 50th birthday. Determined to stay pertinent in the ruthless entertainment world, Elizabeth seeks a miraculous remedy – a black-market serum – that, upon injection, triggers a youthful, improved version of herself. Played by Qualley, this second self must revert back into Elizabeth after a week; however, she is unable to do so, leading to horrific outcomes for both characters. Regarding her role, Moore commented:
From a personal perspective, I can empathize with Elisabeth’s feelings, but I’m not in her shoes. There are various ways she could have reacted to getting fired, and our movie would have been different. Instead of seizing the opportunity to produce her own show, Sue opted to continue seeking validation and approval from others.
A Powerful Commentary on the Horror of Hollywood
In the face of numerous physical and mental hurdles during the filming of The Substance, actresses Moore and Qualley took on the challenge with enthusiasm, even viewing it as essential for delivering the significant message portrayed in Fargeat’s movie. The film The Substance mirrors the struggles faced by women in Hollywood today, where they are often expected to be youthful and attractive to hold value. The portrayal of Elisabeth Sparkle’s aged self as disposable is starkly contrasted with her younger, more alluring persona, revealing the persistent misogyny and sexism that persists within the entertainment industry today.
The movie, after being screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May, was met with a prolonged 11-minute standing ovation and received critical acclaim for its feminist undertones and terrifying horror aspects. This success is clearly a testament to the talents of Moore, Qualley, and Fargeat. It’s set to hit theaters on September 18th.
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2024-09-07 20:03