Demi Moore made history at the 2025 Golden Globes by winning her first-ever acting award at the age of 62, earning her the title of “comeback queen” from many. Known for her roles in iconic films like Ghost and for her attention-grabbing personal life, including her famous naked Vanity Fair cover, Moore has sometimes found her career overshadowed by headlines unrelated to her acting.
During her heartfelt acceptance speech, Moore reflected on how she had once been labeled a “popcorn actress” — someone capable of drawing crowds to the box office but unlikely to receive any significant accolades. She admitted that for a time, she bought into this narrative, but it was her performance in The Substance that helped her shatter that stereotype and prove her critics wrong.
Coralie Fargeat, the French director and writer of The Substance, expressed her pride in Moore’s achievement, calling it a deeply moving moment to see the actress on stage. Fargeat emphasized that the film allowed audiences to see Moore beyond the typical stereotypes that have surrounded her throughout her career. She also firmly disagreed with the idea of Moore’s recognition being labeled a “comeback,” stating, “She has always been here.”
The film itself addresses the issue of how aging women in Hollywood often face an unwritten “expiration date.” The Substance tells the story of a fading celebrity who takes a black-market drug to temporarily recreate a younger, more idealized version of herself, a plot that directly challenges societal perceptions of aging and female beauty.