Demi Moore Felt 'Neutral' About Her Career BeforeThe Substance: 'I Didn't Quite Know Where I Fit'

Mar. 15, 2025

Demi Moore on Dec. 2, 2024.Photo:Mike Coppola/Getty

Mike Coppola/Getty

ForDemi Moore, life is imitating art.

When Moore, 62, appeared on the Monday, Dec. 2 episode ofThe Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcastto discuss her acclaimed horror filmThe Substance, the star admitted that she went through a phase where she doubted her career’s longevity prior to hearing about Coralie Fargeat’s horror-satire, in which Moore portrays a successful actress who attempts to reverse her aging process.

“In a certain way, I think I had almost hit that point that was a little bit — I don’t want to say defeated, because I wasn’t defeated, and I wasn’t even hopeless, but I was just kind of flat, neutral in a way,” she said, elsewhere adding, “I didn’t quite know where I fit or where I belonged. I really did hit a point where I started to wonder, not like, ‘Is this over?’ But, ‘Is this actually complete? Have I done what I was supposed to do in this?' ”

“Everybody is different in their relationship to that and their own sensitivity to it; somebody might feel it hits too close to home,” she added. “I was quite blown away when I read this.”

Demi Moore in The Substance.Courtesy of MUBI

Courtesy of MUBI

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“It really captivated me, the way in which it was exploring this subject of aging and, in particular, that violence that we can have against ourselves, the way in which we all — men and women alike — can dissect and criticize our own reflection,” Moore said of the film’s themes. “It just felt so relatable, on a human level.”

Demi Moore on Dec. 2, 2024.Taylor Hill/WireImage

Taylor Hill/WireImage

“The other part of it was new territory for me — it’s not a world I knew, couldn’t have even listed another body horror film,” she added on the podcast. “It was again, one that I thought if we connected enough that it would be worth a roll of the dice because it was complex and nuanced.”

The Substanceremains in the conversation as awards season begins; the movie was among five films nominated for theIndependent Spirit Awards' best feature award, and Moore received a nomination in the best lead performance category.

source: people.com