Critics Choice 2025: Demi Moore defends horror movies during acceptance speech for ‘The Substance’
Demi Moore won 2025 ‘Best Actress’ at the 2025 Critic’s Choice Awards for her starring role in horror film The Substance.
Moore beat all other nominees in the category, including Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths) Angelina Jolie (Maria) and Mikey Madison (Anora). Anora instead took home the prize for ‘Best Picture’.
Moore addressed the success of The Substance in her speech. “I just want to say, the very recognition — not just for me, but for what this film is about, what it’s trying to convey — your acknowledgment is almost like the elixir. It is the healing balm to the very issue the film brings forward,” Moore said.
The Substance has had a successful awards season so far, winning a Cannes Film Festival Award for ‘Best Screenplay’. It won two other Critic’s Choice Awards: ‘Best Original Screenplay’ and ‘Best Hair and Make-Up’. Unfortunately, Margaret Qualley did not receive the award for ‘Best Supporting Actress’, losing to Zoe Saldaña’s performance in Emilia Pérez. Qualley was also overlooked in the Oscar nominations.
Moore stressed the importance of horror movies in her speech. “I am so grateful, not just for my performance, but that you have highlighted this film, this genre. Normally, horror films are overlooked and not seen for the profundity that they can hold,” she noted.
The Golden Globe-winning actor’s speech reflected the a rise in horror movie interest, encapsulated in recent releases such as Companion, a 2025 science-fiction thriller starring Sophie Thatcher.
Moore also was lauded for her Golden Globes acceptance speech last month, during which she opened up about her tumultuous career. “I had a woman say to me, ‘Just know you will never be enough, but you can know the value of your worth if you just put down the measuring stick.’” In her Critics Choice speech, she again expressed gratitude for finally gaining recognition, despite a career spanning four decades. “This is so far beyond anything I could have hoped for.”
Moore is also in the running for ‘Best Actress’ at the Baftas, SAG Awards and Academy Awards.
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