Margaret Qualley Forever Changed by Intense Film Shoot – “Couldn’t Film Me Anymore!”

In the film “The Substance” directed by French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat, Margaret Qualley plays the young and ideal version of Elisabeth Sparkle, a character also portrayed by Demi Moore. This extraordinary role left a lasting impression on the actress.

Margaret Qualley revealed the behind-the-scenes details of her role on the “HappySadConfused” podcast in January 2025. She shared how the filming deeply affected her, particularly during the third act where both actresses underwent a radical transformation involving multiple layers of prosthetics. “Physically, it took me a year to recover,” she admitted, highlighting the extensive and intense makeup process that could exceed six hours daily.

Long-lasting Effects on Her Skin

The impact of the prosthetics on her skin was so severe that at times it was impossible to film her face. “When my character is walking and you only see my skirt and legs, it’s simply because my face was so damaged at that moment that we couldn’t film it,” the actress explained.

She also mentioned that her face developed acne, a mishap that turned out to be beneficial for her next role in Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Kinds of Kindness,” where she portrays several characters.

The film, which depicts the encounter between Sue, the perfect version of Elisabeth Sparkle, and the declining actress played by Demi Moore, won over audiences and critics alike. In France, it attracted over 550,000 moviegoers and won the Best Screenplay award at Cannes. In the United States, Demi Moore earned the Golden Globe for Best Actress for this role, marking a major milestone in her career, while the film took home the Oscar and BAFTA for Best Makeup.

“The Substance” is considered one of the most impactful films in recent years and is currently available on Canal+.

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