Demi Moore Reflects On ‘The Substance’ And The “Harsh Violence” That “We Do To Ourselves”

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Demi Moore reflected on her experience filming The Substance — which nabbed the Best Screenplay distinction at its Cannes premiere earlier this year — calling the body horror pic an exploration of the “violence” people, particularly women, subject themselves to when attempting to fit into unrealistic beauty standards. “What really struck me was the harsh violence against oneself,” she said in a recent interview by The Guardian. “It’s not what’s being done to you, it’s what we do to ourselves.” From French writer-director Coralie Fargeat, The Substance — due in theaters Sept.

20 — follows an exercise guru who is fading out of the spotlight. After being unceremoniously fired by television executive Harvey (Dennis Quaid), she turns to a black market drug that temporarily transforms her into a younger version of herself (portrayed by Margaret Qualley).

Speaking to the film’s subject matter, Moore — who has faced her fair share of sexism and ageism masquerading as tabloid scrutiny — also said she felt a connection to the film because of her personal experience of doing harm to her body, through disordered eating and over-exercising. “What I did to myself … What I made it mean about me.

Really looking at that violence, how violent we can be towards ourselves, how just brutal.” Though the satirical drama unpacks its messaging through its central women characters, Moore said its themes are relatable to men: “Self-judgment, chasing perfection, trying to rid ourselves of ‘flaws,’ also feeling rejected and despair — none of this is exclusive to women.” She continued, “We’ve all had moments where you go back and you’re trying to fix something, and you’re just making it worse to the point where you’re incapacitated.