Though not perfect (we have thoughts, see our review), Demi Moore’s newest film The Substance is a cheeky choice for the American actress. Some might say it’s courageous and daring, being that she is literally baring it all while deconstructing the plight of an aging Hollywood starlet. It’s bullseye casting. However, we argue that this is nothing new. Moore has always lead with her looks when it came to her choices and she has built a body of work that reflects and stimulates conversations about women, allure and value. Of course it’s indisputable that she is a beauty, making it easy to argue that playing a beautiful woman is not a stretch, but Moore takes it to another level. The following choices hinge on Moore’s physique. We are not simply watching, we’re acutely aware that we’re leering.

THE VANITY FAIR COVER

If you’re not already aware, Moore was the first to bare it all on the cover of a mainstream publication while heavily pregnant. The image and pose are almost cliche’ nowadays thanks to Moore, who dared the world to ogle her while with child.

BRAVO

INDECENT PROPOSAL (1993)

Diane (Moore) is the object of desire for both husband David (Woody Harelson) and rich man John (Robert Redford), who offers the couple one million dollars for a night with Diane. Although one might wish to imagine so, it wasn’t Diane’s wit that had John’s tail wagging. Note: Moore’s breast augmentation is front and centre in the film, being that she was open about the procedure that was quickly taking Hollywood surgeons to the bank (we’re sure, in large part, thanks to Moore).

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DISCLOSURE (1994)

The main character in this film is being sexually harassed by…wait for it…his boss. Shocker. And the boss is a buxom Moore who scores 10s across the board. Hold up. Moore once again has tongues wagging with this sexual role reversal. Too bad the film turned out to be a honey pot, double cross, set-up, switcharro, gotcha head scratcher and…you get the point.

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THE SCARLET LETTER (1995)

Moore’s body gets her into trouble once again is this adaptation of the literary classic. She is the original beautiful bad girl Hester Prynne, who has a child out of wedlock with the local reverend (Gary Oldman). New England puritan authorities force her to wear the scarlet letter “A” on her dress as punishment for succumbing to flesh and blood desires.

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STRIPTEASE (1996)

Now we’re really getting somewhere, Moore turns to stripping in order to make money in a hurry to win back custody of her daughter. Sounds likes an excuse to us.

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G.I. JANE (1997)

Before it was a world-shifting Chris Rock joke, G.I Jane was Moore’s foray into the touchy subject of diversity hires. Part sadistic Navy SEAL training movie, and part you go girl female empowerment bench pressing montage, Moore’s choice here is commendable. Not only is there some good political commentary and a vile Viggo Mortensen to contend with, Moore’s physicality and transformation are irreproachable (though it did overshadow the conversations the film was trying to start). Once again her body is in large part the story, taking punishment and entertaining us with our sick fascination for military training porn.

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CHARLIE’S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE

Through no fault of her own, the promotion of this bloated and forgettable sequel focused on the fact that a 40+ woman (even a fitness buff such as Moore) would dare share the screen with Cameron Diaz (in her prime) while scantily clad. We suspect her being a heretic was baked into the casting, which is why we mention it here. Moore is a “fallen angel”, the villain who shocked the world by wearing a bikini. Need we say Moore.

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THE SUBSTANCE (2024)

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Our full review here