Margaret Qualley Reveals ‘The Substance’ Was “Outside My Comfort Zone”

Margaret Qualley has expressed that her role in the provocative body-horror film ‘The Substance’, directed by Coralie Fargeat, was "really outside of my comfort zone."

Portraying Sue, a younger clone of Demi Moore’s character, Elisabeth Sparkle, Qualley describes the experience as a significant departure from her usual choices. "I think I've intentionally gone the other direction throughout my career," she explains, highlighting the hyper-sexualized nature of her character.

Image Courtesy: People

In ‘The Substance’, Qualley’s character is a youthful iteration of Moore's ageing actress, created through an illicit serum. The film is not for the faint-hearted, featuring nudity and intense scenes as both women share a single consciousness while using the titular serum. "I knew it was going to be a big challenge for me," she admits, acknowledging the film’s demanding content.

Qualley believes that the nudity in the film "very much serves the purpose of this story." She emphasises the concept that everyone curates different aspects of themselves for public presentation. "We've all chosen, highlighted different parts of ourselves to present to the world, for how you want people to see you," she notes, recognising that not all of Sue’s traits align with her own public persona.

Despite the challenges, Qualley is enthusiastic about the role, stating, "It's a road you have to go down in order to bring this to life." 

Her excitement stems from the opportunity to explore a character that allows her to confront new and complex themes. This venture into unfamiliar territory is not only a personal challenge for the actress but also an intriguing addition to her evolving body of work.

-Sushmita Sarkar