Cannes 2024: Demi Moore receives longest standing ovation for new horror
The ongoing Demi Moore resurgence continued with a bang over the weekend at Cannes Film Festival. The iconic American actor, who has recently appeared in supporting roles in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, was met with resounding applause for her new film, The Substance.
On May 19th, Moore appeared in Cannes’ official selection with her latest movie, a feminist body horror from Coralie Fargeat. One of the most hotly anticipated titles to be featured in this year’s competition, glowing reviews have slowly trickled out of the festival, with Moore’s performance as protagonist Elisabeth Sparkle praised.
The Substance centres on the eponymous new product, which promises to transform people into the ideal version of themselves, but as this is a body horror, a big shock is in store for those who take the jump. It also stars Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid, Hugo Diego Garcia, Phillip Schurer and Joseph Balderrama. Notably, Quaid replaced the late Ray Liotta in his role as Harvey after he passed away in May 2022.
The official synopsis reads: “It generates another you. A new, younger, more beautiful, more perfect you. And there’s only one rule: You share time. One week for you. One week for the new you. Seven days each. A perfect balance. Easy. Right? If you respect the balance… what could possibly go wrong?”
As soon as the credits rolled on the new flick, The Substance was met with a 13-minute standing ovation, the longest so far at this year’s film festival. This followed the premiere screening being 20 minutes late to start, finishing around 1am. Despite the delay, the reaction seemingly confirmed that Moore is once again hot property in Hollywood.
Moore, Qualley and Fargeat were all clearly overjoyed by the resounding response to the new film. At one point, the camera panned to the star, who blew a kiss and said: “Thank you! Thank you!”
When speaking to the American Pavilion earlier in the day, Moore reflected on The Substance and how the themes resonated with her as a woman. She explained: “How do you navigate it? You just show up and you face what’s in front of you to the best of your ability. I think what’s most important is how you hold yourself not how the world is holding you… which is exactly what The Substance is about – this male perspective of the idealised woman, that we as women have bought into… and I think we are changing. We are living the change right now.”
Moore is busy at Cannes this week. In addition to the premiere, the actor is godmothering Chopard’s Trophée Chopard gala ceremony and hosting amfAR’s 30th anniversary Cannes gala on May 23rd.
Mubi has acquired worldwide rights to The Substance, but a release date has not yet been confirmed.
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