The Substance is the latest Demi Moore movie that fans of the 62-year-old actress have been buzzing about. In the movie by Coralie Fargeat, Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a celebrity who gets fired by her producer because of her age. She turns to a mysterious black market drug to create a younger version of herself, portrayed by Margaret Qualley, but she has a hard time dealing with the unusual side effects.
Throughout her career, Demi Moore has always pursued roles that allow her to push the envelope and The Substance is no different. The audience is particularly connected to the way Moore captured her character's vulnerabilities associated with aging and the struggle to live up to society's unrealistic standards of beauty.
Cinephiles who enjoyed her performance in The Substance should make a point to check out some of the other Demi Moore movies that showcase her versatility and impressive onscreen presence.
Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources.
A Few Good Men, The Joneses and five other Demi Moore movies that prove she can pull off any role
1) Ghost (1990)
This Demi Moore movie by Jerry Zucker boasts a heartwarming supernatural romance that will have romantics reaching for the tissues. In the lead is Patrick Swayze who plays a banker named Sam Wheat. When he is murdered, his spirit stays behind to save the love of his life, Molly Jensen (Moore), with a little help from Whoopi Goldberg's character, Oda Mae Brown, who is a psychic.
What makes this Demi Moore movie entertaining to watch from start to finish is the chemistry between the leads. The connection that Sam and Molly share feels genuine and realistic, and Goldberg adds flavor to the narrative with her sassy charisma and perfect comedic timing.
It is not always easy to blend different elements to tell one cohesive story but this Demi Moore movie cleverly combines romance with fantasy, suspense and horror to create a memorable viewing experience.
Where to watch: Ghost is available for streaming on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
2) A Few Good Men (1992)
Based on a play by Aaron Sorkin, this Demi Moore movie boasts a well-paced legal narrative complemented by moving performances from a star-studded cast. Directed by Rob Reiner, it stars Tom Cruise as Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, USN, JAG Corps. He is assigned to a complicated case wherein two United States Marines have been charged with the murder of a fellow marine.
Moore plays Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway, another JAG attorney, who believes that the case isn't as clear-cut as it seems. They feel that the murder is somehow linked to Jack Nicholson's character, Colonel Nathan R. Jessep, who runs a tight ship at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.
It's interesting to see how the level-headed Joanne becomes the voice of reason for Daniel when they are preparing for the case. Since it is a legal drama, this Demi Moore movie thrives on well-written courtroom scenes that are intense and engaging. It is also commendable the way the thought-provoking narrative explores bureaucratic leadership and exploitation of power.
Where to watch: A Few Good Men can be streamed on Max, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
3) Now and Then (1995)
Cinephiles who enjoy coming-of-age narratives will find this Demi Moore movie particularly appealing. Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter, it focuses on four women Roberta, Tina, Samantha and Chrissy portrayed by Rosie O'Donnell, Melanie Griffith, Demi Moore and Rita Wilson. When they come together for the birth of Chrissy's baby, they reminisce.
Their younger versions are played by Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, Gaby Hoffmann and Ashleigh Aston Moore. As expected the core messages of friendship and overcoming hardships come through in the flashback parts of the narrative wherein the girls are in their adolescent phase.
In addition to the central plotline, this Demi Moore movie also has many amusing sub-plots that add to the overall viewing experience.
Where to watch: Now and Then is available for streaming on Netflix, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
4) The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, this Demi Moore movie is loosely based on Victor Hugo's novel. The story is centered around Quasimodo, Notre Dame's kind-hearted bell-ringer with several deformities voiced by Tom Hulce. Even though he wants to venture out of the cathedral, he feels like people will not be able to accept him.
But his life turns around after he meets a young Romani woman called Esmeralda voiced by Moore. Hugo's story has a lot of drama and sadness but this animated movie can weave in some positivity and optimism which leaves the audience with a feeling of hope.
The compelling voice acting in this Demi Moore movie helps make each character memorable. It also shares a lot of meaningful messages about diversity, acceptance and inclusivity.
Where to watch: The Hunchback of Notre Dame is available on Disney+ and Prime Video.
5) Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)
This Demi Moore movie is perfect for fans of the Charlie's Angels film series. The second film in the trilogy, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle by McG stars Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu who reprise their roles from the first movie namely Natalie, Dylan and Alex.
Their assignment is to recover the titanium rings stolen from the Department of Justice which carries the names of people in the witness protection program. While carrying out their investigation, they come across Madison Lee, a former Angel portrayed by Moore. While Lee embodies all the pizzazz one would expect from an Angel, there is also a mysterious side to her that adds to the suspense.
Like its predecessor, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle is funny, entertaining and action-packed. It also helps that the endearing chemistry between Diaz, Barrymore and Liu adds to the overall experience.
Where to watch: Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle can be viewed on Apple TV+, Netflix, Prime Video and Plex.
6) The Joneses (2009)
Even though this Demi Moore movie was released back in 2009, the messages it seeks to deliver still ring true in this day and age. Marking Derrick Borte's directorial debut, it stars Moore alongside David Duchovny, Amber Heard, and Ben Hollingsworth.
The four of them aren't a real family but they pretend to be one when they move into an upscale suburb. Their actual motive is to make money by incorporating product placement into their everyday lives. The engaging comedy-drama navigates the problems of overconsumption and how easy it is for people to get sucked into an endless cycle of enviousness and wastefulness.
This Demi Moore movie thrives on intriguing characters who are flawed and yet somehow relatable on some level. The clever premise is complemented by a witty screenplay that checks all the right boxes in terms of satire and drama.
Where to watch: The Joneses is available for streaming on Prime Video and Plex.
7) Margin Call (2011)
J. C. Chandor's feature directorial debut, this Demi Moore movie boasts a star-studded cast that includes the likes of Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci and more. It chronicles a 24-hour period at a large Wall Street investment bank towards the beginning of the 2007–2008 financial crisis.
Moore plays chief risk management officer Sarah Robertson who along with other senior executives has to find a way to stop the company from going bankrupt. The engaging narrative seeks to explore how much power big institutions and corporations have and the way they can make or break the financial stability of the masses.
One thing that really stands out in this Demi Moore movie is the way the director uses indicative and emotive body language instead of dialogue to set the tone of several scenes. This allows the helplessness and insecurity to set in and leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Where to watch: Margin Call can be streamed on Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Plex.
Cinephiles should add these Demi Moore movies to their watchlist because they feature interesting narratives that are complemented by inspired performances worth watching.