As a great admirer of Demi Moore‘s illustrious career, I must say that her performances in some of her films have truly left me spellbound. And while some might argue that her Oscar-winning role in “Ghost” or her intense portrayal in “A Few Good Men” are her finest hours, I wholeheartedly believe that the 2024 release, “The Substance,” stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Despite her personal life often taking center stage, Demi Moore’s acting abilities should be recognized over her tabloid-worthy headlines. From her early roles in iconic ’80s films to her versatile performances across various genres throughout the ’90s and beyond, Moore has consistently chosen intriguing roles and resisted being stereotyped by the industry’s limited expectations for women.
Throughout the decades, my admiration for Demi Moore has never wavered. Although she took a slight break in the 2000s to focus on family, she remained a constant presence on our screens. However, it’s fair to say that the 2020s have seen her make a triumphant return, delivering some of the most remarkable and captivating performances of her career on both the big and small screens.
The ratings and selections of these movies are based on a mix of professional critic opinions, audience polls, along with some of our personal expertise and perspectives.
15. The Joneses
Movies that mock American consumerism obsession are common and were particularly noticeable in the 2000s. However, “The Joneses” offers a distinctive concept that makes it stand out among other similar films in this category. The film features Demi Moore, David Duchovny, Ben Hollingsworth, and Amber Heard (a year following her breakthrough role in “Pineapple Express”). In the movie, they play the Joneses, who appear to be a typical family but are actually employees of a marketing firm. They have established themselves in an affluent neighborhood with the goal of converting their unaware new neighbors into clients, without these neighbors realizing it.
The film “The Joneses” generally received positive feedback, but some critics felt it could have better leveraged its unique premise. However, both David Duchovny and Demi Moore received high compliments. In particular, The Independent Critic deemed Moore’s performance as her best in years, stating she gave an exceptional effort despite the occasional weak script. Actors like Moore excel regardless of their material, demonstrating that they truly belong to the second category – those who are consistently good.
14. Bobby
2006’s “Bobby” primarily focuses on fictional characters linked in some way to the hotel where Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1968, rather than directly portraying the event itself. This film is a daring attempt by writer-director Emilio Estevez, as it features a vast cast. While this movie takes a significant risk, its execution can be uneven at times. The storyline could have benefited from fewer characters and subplots to better explore the more captivating narratives.
In a slightly different wording, the cast appears to favor actors who were primarily popular at the time, such as Nick Cannon and Ashton Kutcher, who now seem out of place – almost like sore thumbs in retrospect. However, there are still some seasoned performers in the mix. One of these veterans is Demi Moore, portraying a singer whose fame has significantly diminished and who resorts to alcohol to cope with her fading stardom. It’s intriguing to observe that despite her high profile, Moore graciously agreed to be part of the large ensemble cast, demonstrating her ability to blend in seamlessly without trying to overshadow others or hog every scene.
13. St. Elmo’s Fire
Back in the ’80s, I was deeply engrossed in the world of movies, and it seemed like the Brat Pack ruled the scene. However, if you take a closer look, the label was mainly applied to two specific films: “The Breakfast Club” and “St. Elmo’s Fire.” Now, Demi Moore wasn’t exactly the first one who popped into my mind when thinking about the Brat Pack, but her role in “St. Elmo’s Fire” earned her a spot nonetheless. Interestingly, she was part of the Brat Pack story, even though she didn’t quite fit the mold.
1985’s “St. Elmo’s Fire” seemed like a film portraying characters from John Hughes’ movies transitioning into adulthood, although it was not directed by John Hughes (it was actually Joel Schumacher who helmed and co-wrote the movie). Critics found the coming-of-age story rather underwhelming at the time. The narrative revolves around a group of college friends trying to preserve their bond as they navigate separate paths in life following graduation. However, the audience seemed to appreciate it, making it one of the movies that encapsulated Generation X and providing a significant career boost for Moore, who was just starting out at the time.
12. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Demi Moore has only lent her voice to three animated characters throughout her acting career. However, each role showcased her remarkable talent for this field, starting with her debut in Disney’s 1996 animation “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” This film was a retelling of Victor Hugo’s classic novel, featuring new songs and a more upbeat approach to the story. Although it wasn’t one of Disney’s most popular films, and even faced criticism from Victor Hugo’s family, it had many commendable aspects, such as its strong lead performances.
As a fan looking back, Moore lent her distinctive voice to Esmeralda in the classic tale. Regrettably, she didn’t handle the singing duties, although her vocal abilities could have certainly carried it off. The racial casting might seem questionable today, but it was common practice back then. Yet, Moore excelled in the role, ensuring that her powerful voice never eclipsed the overall performance, making it effortless to lose sight of the fact that it was Moore embodying Esmeralda. What’s more, Moore seemed to relish playing Esmeralda, as she was one of the select A-list actors who returned for a direct-to-video sequel, appearing in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame II” in 2002.
11. Now and Then
Demi Moore has worn her producer cap only a few times, with the most notable instances being for all three “Austin Powers” movies. Her second credit as a producer was on the 1995 film “Now and Then,” where she also acted. This movie tells the story of four women reminiscing about a memorable summer they spent together 25 years ago. The narrative alternates between their recollections and actually seeing these events unfold.
In this film, Demi Moore portrays an adult Samantha character, while Gaby Hoffmann takes on the role of a younger Samantha. Interestingly, Hoffmann delivers a convincing performance as a teenager version of Demi Moore. The pairing of these actors seems to be one of the strongest examples among four duos in terms of their acting prowess. It’s worth noting that the young actors play significant roles and carry much of the movie, making them essentially the main attraction. However, Moore and her co-stars Rosie O’Donnell, Rita Wilson, and Melanie Griffith have excellent on-screen chemistry, ensuring that their scenes are engaging and not just filler material as we wait for more youthful nostalgia trips.
The film “Now and Then” received a mixed reception, with just 33% approval on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it garnered an 82% score on the Popcornmeter, indicating that this movie resonated more with audiences who appreciated its sugary-sweet appeal rather than those who were critical of it.
10. About Last Night
As a gamer, if “St. Elmo’s Fire” was Demi Moore’s tentative step into the world of adult acting, then “About Last Night” was her bold and unstoppable charge forward. In fact, Roger Ebert, in his review of “About Last Night,” stated that this is the movie “St. Elmo’s Fire” should have been. It follows the journey of yuppies Debbie (Moore) and Dan (Rob Lowe, my fellow cast member from “St. Elmo’s Fire”), as they share a passionate first date and then grapple with the question of whether their intense sexual chemistry can foster an equally deep emotional connection.
Though not quite as explicit as the original David Mamet play, “Sexual Perversity in Chicago” from 1974 – “About Last Night” is still deserving of its R rating due to its candid dialogue. In a time when cinemas were often filled with raunchy comedies, this film stands out as a remarkably mature exploration of sex and relationships. It served as an excellent introduction for Demi Moore beyond her roles in light films centered around teenagers and young adults, making it a significant milestone for actresses during that era.
9. Beavis and Butt-Head Do America
Demi Moore and Bruce Willis appeared together in only two films. The first, “Mortal Thoughts” from 1991, didn’t quite cut it for this list. But their partnership really shone in the 1996 animated sensation “Beavis and Butt-Head Do America.” In this film, they voiced estranged lovers Muddy and Dallas, and they were not mere cameos. Their characters, Muddy and Dallas, play significant roles in driving the story forward. For instance, Muddy hires Beavis and Butt-Head to work on his wife’s case, which kickstarts the plot. Throughout the movie, both Muddy and Dallas have multiple interactions with the boys as well as each other.
In this setting, both Moore and Willis appear to be enjoying themselves immensely. They not only share a strong on-screen chemistry during their scenes together, but also excel at interacting with Mike Judge, who lends his voice to both Beavis and Butt-Head. Additionally, it’s likely that they appreciated the positive critical reception the movie received, as it served as another successful animated feature for 1996 in Moore’s portfolio, following “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Since her 1996 films, “The Juror” and “Striptease,” were among the lowest-ranked in her career, it’s likely that she felt quite proud of herself for deciding to produce a few animated movies instead during that same year.
8. One Crazy Summer
Savage Steve Holland gained fame among eccentric Gen X audiences as he penned and directed the cult hits “Better Off Dead” (1985) and “One Crazy Summer” (1986). Although these movies were largely platforms for the rising star John Cusack, they also boasted talented young actors, such as Demi Moore in “One Crazy Summer.” Interestingly, this role marked a return to teen films for Moore, who had been trying to move away from them with “About Last Night,” which premiered the month before.
In essence, “One Crazy Summer” revolves around an extraordinary summer experienced by a young man named Hoops McCann (Cusack), following his high school graduation. Throughout this season, an intriguing rocker named Cassandra (Moore) becomes entangled in Hoops’ wild escapades and those of his companions. As their paths cross, a romantic connection ignites between them.
Demi Moore’s acting career includes a movie that was initially overlooked yet eventually gained cult status among its teenage audience, much like Holland’s films were in their time. In simpler terms, “One Crazy Summer” was a film that wasn’t widely appreciated when it first came out but has since become a favorite among many who watched it as teenagers, and Demi Moore played a significant role in this production.
7. Please Baby Please
2022’s “Please Baby Please” doesn’t highlight Demi Moore’s singing talent since she doesn’t have any songs in the musical, but it still offers an outstanding platform for her acting skills. However, it must be said that Andrea Riseborough truly shines as Suze, a Manhattan woman who undergoes a transformation alongside her husband when they encounter the vibrant residents of their Lower East Side neighborhood, revealing their true natures to them.
In her brief appearance in the film, Maureen (played by Moore) skillfully utilizes her limited moments on screen, exuding both style and an air of mystery. The movie “Please Baby Please” is filled with camp, and Moore seamlessly fits into this role, embodying the part just as the creators intended. This musical can be likened to a unique blend of “West Side Story” and John Waters’ quirky style, as aptly put by Rotten Tomatoes.
6. Deconstructing Harry
Discussing Woody Allen these days can be challenging, especially when it comes to offering praise. Yet, his knack for drawing exceptional performances from actors is indisputable. Actors who were already good improve under his guidance, and reading his dialogue takes their skills to a new level. Even great actors find themselves reaching even greater heights with Allen. Demi Moore, who worked with him only once, had the opportunity to star in the 1997 black comedy “Deconstructing Harry,” a role that was quite entertaining.
In this scenario, Allen portrays Harry, a novelist embarking on a journey to a university for an honorary event. However, his trip isn’t just about accolades; it also entails confronting former acquaintances whom he has grown apart from, and grappling with the literary characters he has brought to life in his novels. Moore embodies one such character, a therapist from Harry’s stories, who steps out of fiction and becomes a real-life therapist, helping him tackle some deep-seated issues.
Moore finally had the ideal opportunity to mark “directed by Woody Allen” on her acting wishlist, as it was his last film to be nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Oscar – a nomination he was nearly certain to receive whenever he released a movie prior to that moment – until 2005’s “Match Point,” suggesting a less productive period for him during the intervening years.
5. Margin Call
Starting the 2010s with the critically panned action film “Bunraku,” Demi Moore swiftly redeemed herself by producing her finest work in 15 years: the highly acclaimed “Margin Call” from 2011. Although it didn’t receive the same recognition or awards as “The Big Short” or “Too Big To Fail,” “Margin Call” remains a valuable contribution to the collection of films about the 2008 financial crisis. In fact, The New Yorker praised it as “the greatest Wall Street movie ever made.
In “Margin Call,” the story unfolds over a pivotal day at an unnamed financial institution as it teeters on the brink of collapse. The character Sarah Robertson, portrayed by Moore, is the chief risk management officer. Alongside other crucial figures within the company, she must assess the gravity of the situation unfolding. In this impressive cast that includes Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Stanley Tucci, Mary McDonnell, Paul Bettany, Zachary Quinto, and others, Moore delivers a remarkable performance, managing to shine amidst such talented actors.
4. If These Walls Could Talk
Following her debut as Jackie Templeton in “General Hospital,” a character often overlooked, Demi Moore primarily stayed away from TV roles, apart from brief appearances, once her film career took off. However, an exception to this was made when she starred in the 1996 HBO movie “If These Walls Could Talk.” This role, one of her finest to date, demonstrates that she recognized it as a chance she couldn’t afford to miss, even though it was for television.
In “If These Walls Could Talk,” the anthology splits into three distinct parts: 1952, 1975, and the year 1996 portrayed in the film. Despite different casts playing various characters, they all revolve around a common theme – a woman grappling with the decision of whether to undergo an abortion.
1952 saw Moore portray a woman grappling not just with the challenge of her decision, but also contending with the fact that the act was entirely illegal during that period. Her captivating performance garnered her a Golden Globe nomination, and her role as a producer on the film further earned her a Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nomination as well.
3. Ghost
One of the most enduring single images of Demi Moore’s career is her sitting at a pottery wheel with Patrick Swayze behind her, which of course comes from the iconic 1990 romance movie “Ghost.” Moore plays Molly, whose husband Sam (Swayze) is murdered in a random street mugging — or was it? As the mystery unfolds as to the real reason Sam was killed, Molly finds out that Sam is a ghost and can communicate with her through Oda Mae (Whoopi Goldberg). Oda Mae is just as surprised as anyone to discover that she can actually communicate with the spirit world, after previously just pretending to do so to scam people.
Ghost” surprisingly coheres effectively, defying expectations based on its potentially cheesy premise and the risk of excessive melodrama. Despite being a platform that primarily showcased Goldberg’s talents, earning her an Oscar on her way to EGOT status, Moore showcases her versatile acting abilities and keeps pace with Goldberg’s dynamic performance.
2. A Few Good Men
When you recall the 1992 military legal drama “A Few Good Men,” your mind might instantly jump to the heated courtroom exchanges between Tom Cruise, portraying Lieutenant Kaffee, and Jack Nicholson as Colonel Jessep. Indeed, Jessep’s trial for his alleged part in concealing a soldier’s death and being grilled by Kaffee in court forms some of the most crucial moments in the film, culminating in Jack Nicholson’s memorable improvised line. However, “A Few Good Men” offers much more than just these scenes; numerous other actors contribute to the intricate narrative that unfolds around them.
One character in the movie “A Few Good Men” is Demi Moore, who portrays Lieutenant Commander Galloway, one of Kaffee’s higher-ups. Many people think that her acting in this film has been undervalued when discussing the lasting impact of “A Few Good Men.” However, the movie served to remind us all of her exceptional talent as an actress and was widely regarded as her finest performance. If not for a surprising film released in 2024 that quickly surpassed it, “A Few Good Men” might have been considered Moore’s best movie ever.
1. The Substance
It’s easy to accuse anyone who considers “The Substance” as Demi Moore’s best-ever movie to be blinded by recency bias. But even though this list is being published while the movie is still in theaters, we feel confident that the film’s placement at the top of this list will age well in the years to come — that is, unless she happens to make an even better movie in the meantime.
In 2024, “The Substance” offers a chilling blend of body horror and social satire, focusing on Elisabeth Sparkle, once a prominent figure in Hollywood now struggling with obsolescence at the age of 50. To regain her lost glory, she is presented with an opportunity to create a temporary double – a youthful replica of herself. However, she oversteps the prescribed boundaries for this treatment, leading to the gruesome and horrifying physical transformations portrayed in the movie.
As a die-hard fan, I can confidently say that “The Substance” has surpassed all other movies of Demi Moore as per Moore’s own IMDb ranking. Moreover, the Rotten Tomatoes critical consensus hails it as “potentially Moore’s finest moment on screen.” Given how much better the movie is when seen with minimal spoilers, I can only urge you to watch it without delving too deeply into why Moore’s performance is so remarkable. However, if you have a sensitive stomach, be prepared for some intense scenes.
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2024-10-28 14:31