Margaret Qualley has opened up about the challenges she faced while filming The Substance, a daring and experimental horror movie.
The actress, known for her role in Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood, stars in the film alongside Demi Moore.
Set against a backdrop of body-horror themes, The Substance has already created a buzz at major film festivals, including Cannes and FrightFest.
In the film, Qualley plays Sue, a character who experiences dramatic transformations after taking an experimental drug.
A difficult scene to film
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Margaret shared the emotional struggle she went through while filming a particularly intense scene in the movie.
She revealed that she felt uncomfortable with the sexually explicit nature of the scene. She even recalled feeling deeply ashamed during the rehearsal.
To get through the challenging shoot, she resorted to marijuana and tequila. She explained that it helped her find the courage she needed to perform in front of the crew.
Collaborating with Demi Moore
Despite the difficult scenes, Qualley spoke positively about her experience working with Demi Moore. The two actresses share several intimate and vulnerable moments in the film, which pushed them to grow as performers.
Qualley expressed how fortunate she felt to be working with Moore, noting her long history of taking bold roles in her career. Together, they help bring the raw and unflinching themes of The Substance to life.
Director Coralie Fargeat, known for Revenge, has also explained the film's purpose in exploring body horror and sexuality.
She has been open about the personal and challenging themes of the story, with her directorial choices designed to confront viewers with difficult truths.
At Cannes, she mentioned via The Hollywood Reporter that “being a woman is body horror,” a sentiment that’s embodied in the film’s graphic and shocking scenes.
With its UK release just around the corner, The Substance continues to generate conversation for its daring portrayal of horror and transformation, pushing boundaries both for its actors and audience.