“it sucks” 4 years before The Substance, Demi Moore starred in this film rated 9%: it's one of the worst made in the last 10 years

News culture “it sucks” 4 years before The Substance, Demi Moore starred in this film rated 9%: it's one of the worst made in the last 10 years

A transformation in The Substance

Demi Moorean emblematic figure of American cinema, makes a remarkable return with The Substance, a daring horror film directed by Coralie Fargeat. Presented at Cannes Film Festivalthis thriller casts Moore as Elizabeth, a former TV star and aerobics coach fired on her fiftieth birthday. Her life is turned upside down when she is offered a mysterious product capable of transforming her DNA and making her an idealized version of herself. Through striking visual effects, this body-horror film explores themes of fame and image, while Moore intensely embodies a transformation that is as disturbing as it is impactful. Coralie Fargeat highlighted her choice of an iconic actress to play this “star” and was surprised by Moore's willingness to embrace such a disturbing role, a challenge that few actresses of her caliber would have accepted.

Songbird: a half-hearted dystopian thriller

At the same time, Moore distinguished himself in Songbirda dystopian thriller directed by Adam Mason and produced by Michael Bay. Released in 2020 in the midst of a pandemic, the film plunges into a near future where Los Angeles is ravaged by a mutation of the COVID-19 virus. The plot follows Nico, a courier immune to the virus, who maintains a long-distance relationship with Sara, a confined artist, and who decides to risk his life to save her when she thinks she has been infected. Moore plays here Piper Griffina calculating businesswoman, willing to do anything to protect her own family in a world where the pandemic is exacerbating inequality and social control. However, Songbird failed to convince, with a rating of only 7% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics called it ” confusedtedious and uninspired”, pointing out a scenario which failed to transform its concept into a real reflection on the pandemic and confinement.

Despite Songbird's mixed reception, Moore stands out for his commitment to playing bold and realistic roles. With The Substance, she seems to have found a project worthy of her ambitionsa film where she pushes the boundaries of her iconic image. This work, already well received by fans of horror cinema, could well mark a turning point in his career and become a cult film in the genre. This time the media gives it 90%. “Boldly rude, wickedly intelligent and probably the best film by Demi Moore, The Substance is a breathtaking achievement from writer-director Coralie Fargeat.”, sums up the consensus.