Demi Moore Recalls 'Very Vulnerable Experience' of Filming Full-Frontal Nude Scenes for The Substance

Demi Moore is opening up about baring it all in her new movie, The Substance.

While speaking at a press conference on Monday, May 20 following the body horror film's Cannes Film Festival premiere a day prior, Moore, 61, discussed filming the movie's full-frontal nude scenes.

In the film, Moore plays "fading celebrity" Elizabeth Sparkle, who ends up using a black market drug to create a "younger, better version of herself." The younger version of the character, Sue, is played by Margaret Qualley, 29.

“Going into it, it was really spelled out — the level of vulnerability and rawness that was really required to tell the story,” Moore said of baring it all on screen, per Variety.

“And it was a very vulnerable experience and just required a lot of sensitivity and a lot of conversation about what we were trying to accomplish,” she added, saying it was important to find "that common ground of mutual trust."

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Moore said of Qualley, “I had someone who was a great partner who I felt very safe with. We obviously were quite close in certain moments — naked — and we also [got] a lot of levity in those moments at how absurd those certain situations were."

“But ultimately it’s just about really directing clear communication and mutual trust,” Moore continued of her costar, who wasn't at the press conference as she was traveling for work.

The movie also stars Dennis Quaid as Harvey; a role that was originally meant to be played by the late Ray Liotta, who died on May 26, 2022 at age 67.

“In my heart, I dedicated this role to Ray Liotta, who was set to play it,” Quaid said. 

“It was this week, two years ago that he passed, so I’d like to remember him. He was such an incredible actor,” he added.

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The Substance received an 11-minute standing ovation following its May 19's premiere.

It's official logline, according to Cannes website, reads: "Have you ever dreamed of a better version of yourself? You should try this new product: The Substance. It changed my life." With The Substance, you can generate another version of yourself, younger, more beautiful, more perfect… Just share the time. One week for one, one week for the other. A perfect balance of seven days. Easy isn’t it? If you follow the instructions, what could go wrong?”