Coralie Fargeat tells IndieWire about the feelings of insecurity, of passing age 40, that led to her new film 'The Substance,' starring Demi Moore

Who would ever want to turn Demi Moore into a monster? That’s precisely what director and writer Coralie Fargeat does in Moore’s latest film, The Substance, which is in theaters now. And as it happens,

Every week Sue and Sparkle trade places with Sue becoming rich, famous, and desired by everyone and Sparkle getting to (ostensibly) relive her glory days. They don’t share memories, but they’re basically the same person. END SPOILERS.

The Substance” is more than just blood and guts — it’s got a career-topping performance by Demi Moore, who is worthy of serious Oscar consideration. In Coralie Fargeat’s daring body horror film Moore delivers possibly her most daring role ever.

In her new film, the actress plays an aging TV star who finds a sinister potion that can give her a younger, more perfect version of herself, but at a horrifying price. Moore, now 61, talks about having suffered due to the entertainment industry's toxic expectations of beauty.

The premise and plot of “The Substance” are simple: celebrated actress and fitness guru Elisabeth Sparkle ( Demi Moore, in a scenery-chewing performance) has a star on the Walk of Fame and a popular exercise show.

Demi Moore was a troubled member of the "Brat Pack," who overcame esteem issues and became the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, starring in such films as "Indecent Proposal," "Charlie's Angels" and "Striptease.

The Substance, starring Demi Moore, is a bright and showy body horror film about aging and the hypersexualization of the female body. But it doesn’t go much further than illustrating at great length that there are nasty cultural attitudes toward older women.

Body horror is particularly appealing to creators who would have previously found it difficult to make a living in the world of commercial film-making.