In her latest movie, Demi Moore addresses themes like aging, self-acceptance, self-hate, self-esteem, and more. The actress is no stranger to criticism about her looks, and while she has faced it before, a doctor recently added to the scrutiny.
Demi Moore at The Twelfth Annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in New York City on November 2, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
Moore is anĀ actress, director, and producerĀ born on November 11, 1962, in Roswell, New Mexico. She is well-known for starring in films such as 1990ās āGhost,ā 1993ās āIndecent Proposal,ā and 2003ās āCharlieās Angels: Full Throttle.ā As she approaches her 62nd birthday in November 2024, Moore seems to be aging in reverse.
Demi Moore at Prada Presents āPast Forward,ā A Short Film By David O. Russell in Los Angeles on November 15, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
Her latest role, in 2024ās psychological horror āThe Substance,ā showcased her youthful looks. Ironically, the two-hour, 21-minute movie centers on a celebrity, Elisabeth Sparkle, whose fame fades with age. She then takes an illegal, cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger and improved version of herself.
A younger version of Demi Mooreās character in āThe Substanceā in the official trailer released on August 15, 2024 | Source: YouTube/MUBI
The substance transforms Sparkle into a self-absorbed but youthful version of her older self, who then threatens to destroy them both. French writer and director Coralie Fargeat shared what kind of actress was necessary for this role.
SheĀ explained, āThe part needed to be embodied by an actress who was a symbol herself.ā FargeatĀ notedĀ that she recognized, āThose kinds of actresses would be frightened by jumping into something that confronts them with their own phobias.ā
Demi Mooreās older character in āThe Substanceā in the official trailer released on August 15, 2024 | Source: YouTube/MUBI
What made Moore ideal, however, was that sheād already faced the fears her character battles, including the self-hatred and turmoil they bring. The directorĀ feltĀ that the actress was suited for the role because āshe has processed all that in a peaceful way.ā
Yet, there are contrasts between the star and Sparkle; the character strips away layers of herself seeking menās approval, while at 61, Moore is at ease with herself. Fargeat emphasized that the film taught an important lesson: chasing something you believe is better can lead to losing what you already have.
Demi Mooreās older character in āThe Substanceā in the official trailer released on August 15, 2024 | Source: YouTube/MUBI
Moore also explained her motivation for taking the role. In an interview, sheĀ said, āWhat you described is what moved me when I read the script, because it was such a unique way to be exploring this issue of aging, of societal conditioning, of what I also see as the pressure of the male-idealized woman that we as women have bought into.ā
She appreciated seeing a physical representation of the self-inflicted violence in our thoughts, as people often attack themselves and distort things. The actress believes there is power in understanding that we have the option to make different choices for ourselves.
The illegal substance used by Demi Mooreās character in āThe Substanceā in the official trailer released on August 15, 2024 | Source: YouTube/MUBI
To keep things light, sheĀ added, āAnd for those who arenāt looking for such a deep message, itās just entertaining.ā Despite her work confronting her body image fears, she is still human and sometimes judges herself harshly. In the past, sheās been accused of altering her body through cosmetic surgery.
Mooreās Struggles with Aging and the Criticism Sheās Gotten over the Years
In a recent interview about her latest film, Moore was taken aback when her stylist, Brad Goreski, sent her photos via text. The actress showed her humanity when she tensed up while viewing the images on her iPad.
When her interviewer inquired if anything was wrong, MooreĀ replied, āIām not perfect. Sometimes Iāll look at a photo and think, āI look old,ā or whatever.ā Yet, she shared how she copes,Ā saying, āBut Iāve learned to deal with it.ā
Demi Moore at the Wall Street Journal Tech Live conference in Laguna Beach, California, on October 22, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Making the film didnāt dramatically shift her views on aging, but it deepened her appreciation for who she is. She furtherĀ explained, āOne of the biggest themes of my career is challenging preconceived ideas and limitations.ā
Now, Moore feels she is in control of her own story rather than having it dictated by her age. She expressed her disagreement with societyās tendency to define how someone should look or act based on age.
The actressĀ stated, āYour 60s is not what your 60s used to be. Thereās a part of me thatās enjoying figuring it out as I go along.ā She revealed that her 40s brought more career challenges than she faces now.
At that time, her identity in Hollywood was unclear as no one knew what to do with her. SheĀ elaborated, āI wasnāt 30, but I wasnāt 40 in a way that people could comfortably identify me as a mother, etc. There was no place for me.ā
When she starred in movies like āG.I. Janeā and āStriptease,ā she was consumed with exercise and diet, not only because the roles demanded it. But, after āG.I. Jane,ā she felt burnt out and decided to stop working out.
Explaining her decision, sheĀ said, āI realised I needed to come from the inside and find a sense of peace. I realised being thin did not equal happiness. [sic]ā The star ultimately discovered that she feels and looks her best when sheās happy and doesnāt overexert herself.
Demi Moore and Bruce Willis at the premiere of āG.I. Janeā in New York City in June 1996 | Source: Getty Images
Despite her insights, the mediaās perspective is different, with reports claiming she spent $3 million on a new body. These false rumors frustrated Moore, whoĀ feltĀ battling the tabloids only āperpetuates the myth.ā
Things hit a peak when several tabloids alleged she had cosmetic surgery on her knees. The rumors made her question if she should be concerned about her knees. During an interview, the reporter even checked for scars and found none.
MooreĀ remarked, āItās not just my knees. They say Iāve had multiple face surgeries.ā In 2007, while getting a facial, rumors surfaced claiming she was undergoing extensive surgical procedures.
The star has repeatedly insisted she has never had work done on her face, a fact her interviewer confirmed. Additionally, the actress has never undergone liposuction, and speaking to āTodayā about being in her 60s, sheĀ expressed, āI feel like this is the most exciting time of my life.ā
SheĀ explainedĀ that with her children now adults, she has the āmost independence and autonomy to really re-define where I wanna go.ā Though sheās unsure what that path will look like, sheās excited to be on it.
Demonstrating the attention Moore receives for her appearance, a doctor recently compared photos of her from 2019 to September 2024 to highlight her transformation. He also mentioned the cosmetic procedures he suspects sheās had.
Mooreās Transformation over Recent Years
On October 28, 2024, Dr. Jonny Betteridge,Ā an aesthetics doctorĀ and founder of JB Aesthetics, shared an analysis on Instagram detailing Mooreās transformation over the last few years. HeĀ remarkedĀ that she ālooks like sheās aging backwards.ā
Referring to a 2019 photo, heĀ observed, āSome characteristic signs of aging to the face and neck with skin laxity and volume loss being the predominant features,ā with volume loss as the primary concern, according to Betteridge.
Demi Moore at The Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion on May 6, 2019, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
He alsoĀ referencedĀ another photo that it āsparked speculation of her changing appearance.ā Comparing those images to one from āThe Substanceāsā premiere in September 2024, he noted significant differences.
Demi Moore in Kim Jones attire for the Fendiās Spring-Summer 2021 collection during the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, in Paris, on January 27, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Demi Moore at the 27th Annual ELLE Women in Hollywood Celebration on October 19, 2021, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Demi Moore at The Fashion Awards on November 29, 2021, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
BetteridgeĀ pointed out, āNotice how her face has changed from how we saw it a few years ago to now, a much more lifted and tighter appearance. These features are likely attributed to a deep plane face and neck lift.ā
Demi Moore at the Los Angeles premiere of āThe Substanceā on September 16, 2024, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
He then shared a video from the same period, zooming in on her ear to display what he claimed was a surgical scar, possibly from a facelift. Betteridge alsoĀ notedĀ that her āeye area has a much smoother contour, and her eyelids are also more visible.ā
Dr. Jonny Betteridge talked about the work Demi Moore allegedly did to her face while attending the Los Angeles premiere of āThe Substanceā in a post uploaded on October 28, 2024 | Source: Instagram/drjb.aesthetics
The doctor attributed these changes to an upper and lower blepharoplasty, a procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the eyelids. He suggested that this is whyĀ Demi MooreĀ now appears youthful and wrinkle-free around her eyes.
Margaret Qualley and Demi Moore at the Los Angeles premiere of āThe Substanceā on September 16, 2024, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Betteridge, who offers non-surgical treatments like skin care, Botox, and dermal fillers, believes Mooreās transformation is an example of how skillful plastic surgery can refresh a personās look without altering their natural appearance.
Demi Moore at the 27th SCAD Savannah Film Festival on October 27, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia | Source: Getty Images
Seeing the actress during her movieās premiere, netizens rushed to leave their opinions on her looks. One personĀ said,Ā āShe looks younger than her daughters. Magnificent.Ā .āĀ Siding with Betteridge, an Instagram userĀ claimed,Ā āDemiās plastic surgeon is a magician.ā
Demi Moore at the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, in Paris, on January 27, 2021 | Demi Moore at the Los Angeles premiere of āThe Substanceā on September 16, 2024, in Los Angeles, California | Sources: Getty Images
Someone elseĀ wrote,Ā āDemi and Denis are both super hot. And not for their age just objectively hot. But both are styled/dresses ridiculously. Demi trying to be 25 years old and Denis in, what looks like, an entirely thrifted outfit. [sic]ā
A fourth person who supported the actressĀ noted,Ā āItās crazy how good demi looks. And sheās the mother of all 3!.āĀ Irrespective of peopleās differing opinions on her appearance, Moore continues to age happily and gracefully.