I must say, the transformation that Demi Moore underwent for her role in “The Substance” is nothing short of remarkable! As a fellow actress who has spent years in the spotlight, I can only imagine the physical and emotional toll such an extreme makeover would take.
In terms of actors who are prepared to make significant personal sacrifices for their roles, Demi Moore has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment within the Hollywood industry. From shaving her head and undergoing Navy SEAL training for “G.I. Jane,” to mastering pole dancing routines for “Striptease” (a film that nearly derailed Moore’s career), she has continually proven her dedication to her profession. She never flinches from taking the necessary steps to embody a character, and her upcoming role in “The Substance” promises her most remarkable transformation yet.
Exploring the dark realities stemming from self-contempt, enforced beauty norms, and contemporary issues, filmmaker Coralie Fargeat’s work empowers Moore to challenge ageism. A powerful stand against sexism and the strife between older and younger women, “The Substance” offers Moore a unique character that allows her to defy the tabloid media, which had criticized her for valuing herself and courageously selecting roles that reflect her self-worth.
To fully embody the character of a fading star named Elisabeth Sparkle, Moore underwent a significant transformation. Just how long did she spend in the makeup chair every day to achieve the perfect look? Find out below. And would she be willing to go through it all again for another role? Keep reading to discover the answer!
Contains spoilers for “The Substance.”
What is The Substance and who does Demi Moore play in it?
The Substance” is a chilling body-horror film focusing on Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a popular fitness guru and actor dominating the scene during the 1980s and 1990s. However, as Sparkle approaches her fifties, she is let go from her afternoon exercise program by its executives (Dennis Quaid). They opt for a younger replacement. Enraged, she suffers an accident in a car crash upon witnessing the billboard for the show being removed. In the hospital, she secretly receives details about the mysterious substance known as “The Substance” while recovering – it’s an illicit, designer drug rumored to restore you to your youthful prime. However, Elizabeth is taken aback when, rather than enhancing her existing body, the drug leads to the emergence of a second person from her back.
As a gamer immersed in this peculiar narrative, I find myself embodying two characters – Sue (Margaret Qualley) and Elisabeth. While I, or rather Elisabeth, was once living it up on the show, Sue took over, embracing a high-spirited social life that left me, as Elisabeth, slipping into despair. As days went by, I felt myself deteriorating, while Sue seemed oblivious to her responsibilities towards our partnership.
Weekly intravenous feeding is necessary for an idle body. Similarly, to prevent regression due to being a clone, Sue requires regular self-injections of activator fluid. Regrettably, Sue and Elizabeth develop a competitive dynamic rather than functioning as a unified whole, culminating in violence. As her condition worsened, Sue resorted to increased consumption of the Substance, ultimately leading to her transformation into Monstro Elisasue, a half-formed creature. The final outcome was rapid decay and death, leaving a trail of blood behind before meeting her demise.
Becoming a monster was both scary and liberating for Demi Moore
Transforming one’s perception of beauty and identity to embody a grotesque movie monster is quite demanding, yet Demi Moore bravely took on this task, despite some aspects of the process proving challenging for her. Exposed to full-frontal nudity, delving into deeply vulnerable mental territories, and spending extensive hours under heavy makeup, Moore embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. To portray Elisabeth demanded complete emotional honesty from the actor – a demand that was met by Demi Moore, who eventually found personal satisfaction in her role.
Moore shared with The Guardian that the film was intensely challenging and exposed, yet simultaneously empowering to create. Unlike Margaret who carried the burden of maintaining an ideal appearance, Moore expected to appear less glamorous. She acknowledged that the shooting style wouldn’t soften her edges but found a sense of freedom in that. What particularly resonated with her was the brutal self-inflicted violence, emphasizing it’s not about external harm, but the damage we inflict upon ourselves. Certainly, the self-treatment she endured was harsh and difficult for viewers to bear.
In one scene, Elisabeth becomes so frustrated by the flaws she sees in herself while making herself up for a date that she rubs off her makeup in such a fierce and angry way that she actually scrubbed her own skin raw. “Emotionally, that idea that I think many of us have been where we’re trying to make something better and then we just keep making it worse,” she said on CBS Sunday Morning. “For me, it’s one of the most heart-wrenching moments in the whole film.” The scene took 15 takes to complete, and Moore was willing to keep going. “The makeup artist stepped in and said, ‘We’re done,'” she told Variety.
It took over nine hours to turn Demi Moore into a monster on some days
Demi Moore shared with Seth Myers that applying Elisabeth’s daily makeup for filming took between 6 to nearly 10 hours. This transformation required 14 distinct prosthetic pieces for her face alone. Moore also mentioned that she needed to be extra cautious while removing the prosthetics, as a careless tug could potentially harm her skin. She described the process of removal as another lengthy task, taking an additional two hours.
According to those working alongside Moore, it was noted that the actor’s prosthetics extended beyond just her face. “She wore a full leg prosthetic, arm prosthetic, back prosthetic, and even her wig had a prosthetic component,” Pierre-Olivier Persin explained to The Daily Beast. He further clarified to GQ Magazine that the upper half of her body was covered in prosthetics for the filming process. Additionally, everything needed to be waterproof as scenes required submerging underwater.
Moore’s decomposition stages were affectionately dubbed: “Requiem,” a nod to Ellen Burstyn’s expression in the film “Requiem for a Dream;” the bent and decaying “Gollum,” inspired by Elisabeth’s baldness and physical deterioration, referencing the fish-eating creature from “The Lord of the Rings;” and just “Monstro” for the character’s final transformation. Interestingly, while Moore portrays the first two forms, Margaret Qualley steps into the role of Monstro Elisasue during the final stages of decomposition. The outcome is a grotesque figure that satirizes beauty ideals – think teeth, lips, and breasts in abundance – yet also elicits sympathy. Persin mentioned that director Coralie Fargeat aimed for the character to resemble John Merrick, the Elephant Man, being both terrifying yet lovable simultaneously.
Why the makeup team loved working with Demi Moore
Despite spending numerous hours in makeup, one might expect a star like Demi Moore to express dissatisfaction or irritation. However, Pierre-Olivier Persin, the head makeup artist for “The Substance,” shared that this wasn’t the case at all. He told GQ Magazine that Moore was incredibly resilient, never grumbling or appearing bored, and remained focused during the process. In an interview with The Daily Beast, he further commended her patience, stating that she never complained but instead stayed committed, attentively examining every detail in the mirror and remaining still throughout. Essentially, Moore was an ideal actor to work with, according to Persin.
Persin stated that he collaborated with Moore to facilitate Elisabeth Sparkle’s transformation into Monstro Elisasue. Working closely with the film’s hairstylists and makeup artists, they meticulously planned Elisabeth’s entire appearance, starting with a finger turning purple and wilting, culminating in the terrifying transformation. Every detail, from each disheveled curl to every wrinkle, was approved by the entire team. This collaboration resulted in a consistent and convincing look that made it appear as if this two-woman narrative only required two actors instead of additional stunt people or stand-ins. Moore’s extensive involvement in crafting her unique character greatly simplified the process of Elisabeth’s decline and significantly enhanced the film.
The shocking ending of The Substance was always supposed to be a cathartic moment
Elisabeth Sparkle’s breakdown is played out publicly, serving as a powerful moment of release. It breaks traditional beauty standards and societal norms surrounding gender roles. In the midst of a globally televised New Year’s Eve party, Monstro Elisasue responds with defiance and shock to her audience’s rejection. They viciously attack her, but she retaliates, rejecting their rejection in a bloody, gruesome display. Covered in blood, she escapes the studio, leaving behind her weakened, melting form, to soak up one final moment of adoration at her Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
In conversation with Vulture, Moore described Monstro Elisasue’s demise as a form of accountability and the shedding of her physical being. He further explained that when Monstro can perceive herself in the mirror as a harmonious fusion of her contrasting aspects, she will fully embrace contentment and self-fulfillment. This act symbolizes her rejection of societal norms that have confined her in sorrow and melancholy, preventing her from experiencing joy or maintaining happiness in her personal life. Not even death can hinder her now — it’s a grim yet enchanting instant.
As I chatted with Vulture, director Coralie Fargeat shared her thoughts, expressing that she aimed to create a liberating finale all along. “To me,” she explained, “the viewers symbolize society. I portrayed Elizabeth’s authentic yearning to be appreciated by people for who she truly is.
Why Demi Moore played the Gollum version of her character instead of a body double
In the film “The Substance,” Demi Moore often collaborated with a stunt double rather than employing a body double for certain scenes. This was due to the directors, Coralie Fargeat and Pierre-Olivier Persin, who aimed to create the most authentic-looking monster possible. To achieve this, visual consistency was crucial, leading them to ask Moore to wear the monster suit (which she was happy to do). According to Persin, Fargeat was against heavy use of VFX, so the final movie features extensive use of prosthetics and puppetry instead.
One particularly distressing scene featuring Elizabeth, as portrayed by Gollum, depicts her standing alone in the shower, with her body showing signs of aging such as drooping breasts and bottom. This emotional instance is challenging to recreate using a body double. However, during the intense argument between Elizabeth and Sue, a stunt person and stand-in were utilized for certain scenes.
In addition to exacerbating Elisabeth’s severe physical deterioration, subtle aspects played a significant role. For instance, the movable components in the silicone suit worn by Moore were meticulously designed. As Persin explained to The Daily Beast, “I didn’t want a simple rubber suit; it was silicone. It wasn’t just a suit or prosthetics. Most of it was adhered directly to the body, allowing it to move naturally.” This attention to detail extended to even minor aspects like the jiggling motion in the lower back and the breasts when she walked, achieved by hollow spaces inside these areas.
What does Demi Moore think about the message that The Substance sends?
Demi Moore has shared thoughts on the impact of the movie “The Substance” on its viewers. She described it as a profoundly shared encounter, tackling themes like aging and the male-centric notion of the perfect woman that many women have adopted. According to Moore, during an interview with Seth Meyers on “Late Night with Seth Meyers”, Elisabeth Sparkle’s inability to defy those standards and view other women as friends rather than competition ultimately leads to her sad demise.
Moore, having penned an autobiography detailing her experiences as a woman in Hollywood, is well-versed in the highs and lows of this industry. This was evident to Coralie Fargeat during their collaboration. Thus, it’s not surprising that she empathizes with Elisabeth’s despair and jealousy upon losing her career. Her character, who has fixated on her appearance for so long, crumbles when told her looks are inferior, leading to such drastic measures to maintain her youth. This behavior is hardly shocking given the circumstances.
Moore expressed to Variety that perhaps the most tragic aspect of Elisabeth’s life is her forfeiture of all she could become because of her relentless pursuit of a fleeting youth. “The movie presents a thought-provoking concept: In chasing after what you believe is superior, there’s a risk of losing what you already possess,” Moore explained. Ultimately, Elisabeth’s transformation into Sue, followed by Sue’s descent into Monstro Elisasue, can be seen as a defiance against the male perspective. It’s evident that Moore holds compassion for this flawed character, and this empathy is beautifully conveyed in her acting.
Would Demi Moore go through another extreme transformation for a role?
Is Demi Moore considering undergoing a dramatic physical change for another movie role? She seems undecided. “I must admit,” she shared on “Late Night with Seth Meyers”, “it’s much simpler to contemplate from a script perspective.” However, she’s grateful for the experience and appreciates those who fully commit to transformative roles. She might hesitate before taking such a plunge again.
Regardless of whether Moore chooses to play another character like Elisabeth Sparkle, her powerful and intense portrayal in this role may have significantly reshaped her acting career. Could it be that her future lies in the realm of horror films? Is it possible she could follow the path of Joan Crawford, who ended her career with a series of horror movies? Despite expressing some reservations about spending extensive time in makeup, she hasn’t ruled out revisiting horror roles altogether. As for the future, only time will tell, but one thing is certain – “The Substance” has paved the way for a fresh exploration of body horror.
According to The Guardian’s review, the majority of horror movies involving the human female body often focus on various aspects of the reproductive system. This is usually created by male filmmakers. However, Coralie Fargeat’s latest movie, ‘The Substance’, offers something new and invigorating: it presents a woman’s viewpoint regarding women’s bodies, and suggests that the true horror begins when fertility fades away.
Could “The Substance” be considered one of Demi Moore’s finest films throughout her career? Take a look at our compiled ranking of Demi Moore’s best movies, listed from least favorite to favorite.
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2024-12-05 15:30