A small-town girl with big dreams, Demi Moore first broke out as a member of the Brat Pack in the 1980s with films like St. Elmo’s Fire and About Last Night. More than anything, it was her unforgettable turn as Molly Jensen in 1990’s Ghost that turned her into a beloved superstar. Her rise to this degree of fame was slow and steady, but it wasn’t long until Moore established herself as one of the highest-paid actresses of the time and a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
In the following years, Moore continued to challenge herself with roles like A Few Good Men and G.I. Jane. She shared incredible chemistry with her co-stars and commanded the screen with her intense and passionate performances. Moore also took a step back from acting in later years to focus on her family, but she now looks poised for a comeback. Her newest body horror film, The Substance, is set to hit theaters on September 20th. It sees her take on a compelling role as a once-revered star desperate to reclaim her youth.
The Substance has received widespread acclaim from critics so far, but as fans wait for her to return to the screen, there’s no better time to revisit some of Demi Moore’s greatest performances over the years. From breakout roles to the cult classics that defined her career, this list has it all.
10 Indecent Proposal (1993)
A controversial drama starring Robert Redford, Demi Moore, and Woody Harrelson, Indecent Proposal centers around childhood sweethearts David and Diana Murphy – the former is a struggling architect and the latter is a real estate agent. After investing their everything to build a dream home, they go broke, but a chance to earn $1 million from a billionaire named John Cage in exchange for him spending one night with Diana threatens their marriage.
Explores the Depth of Relationships
Directed by Adrian Lyne, Indecent Proposal was not an immediate hit with critics, but it grew in cult popularity years after its release. Demi Moore sizzles in one of her most provocative roles as Diana, a woman torn between loyalty to her husband and the temptation of easy money. The premise may seem unusual, but the sensual direction draws out the simmering direction and the moral dilemmas faced by all three characters. Moore, particularly, commits fully to the complexity of her character.
9 Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996)
A naughty and clever nod to Indecent Proposal, this adult animated comedy is proof that Moore is just as talented in comedy as she is in dramatics. The movie follows Beavis and Butt-Head, two teen slackers, who wake up one day and find out that their television is stolen. They decide to embark on a journey to recover it, but in the process, meet Muddy Grimes, who offers them $10,000 to “do” his wife. Beavis and Butt-Head’s bumbling antics, however, turn them into figures.
Features Send-Ups Of Every Genre Clichés
Few remember that Moore lent her voice to two of the most iconic characters in animation history. Beavis and Butt-Head Do America and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but were released in the same year.
In the latter, she voiced a Romani dancer named Esmeralda, who might not be a Disney princess, but is memorable to this day. In the former, she voices Dallas Grimes, the scrappy street-smart criminal who begrudgingly teams up with Beavis and Butt-Head. The gags and jokes come at breakneck speed, and thanks to Mike Judge’s layered direction, the movie was a huge hit.
8 Now and Then (1995)
The premise of Now and Then isn’t original or refreshing, and yet it manages to draw us back in time to relive the adventures of youth. The story centers around four childhood best friends – Roberta, Teeny, Chrissy, and Samantha – as they live lives that could not be more different. As adult women, they reunite in Shelby, Indiana, and look back on the idyllic summer of the 1970s, when they were twelve and the world was magical.
Pays Tribute to Female Friendships
Now and Then is a decent coming-of-age drama that resonates with audiences because of its celebration of long-lasting childhood friendships. The movie stars Rita Wilson and Rosie O’Donnell, along with Demi Moore, and it is directed by Lesli Linka Glatter. Moore plays the older version of Samantha Albertson, who grew up in a dysfunctional household and became a popular science-fiction author with commitment issues.
7 One Crazy Summer (1986)
Romance movies in the 1980s were cooked in something else. They were intoxicating and endearing at the same time. One Crazy Summer is the perfect example. It follows Hoops McCann, a recent high school graduate, who is struggling at art school and wishes to spend the summer in Nantucket with his friend. They embark on a road trip and pick a starry-eyed rock singer named Cassandra on the way. Hoops’ summer gets crazier when he gets pulled into Cassandra’s schemes for saving her grandfather’s house.
An Offbeat Ode to Lazy Summer Days
What should have been a movie about a quiet summer of self-discovery quickly devolves into pure madness. The teen comedy, directed by Savage Steve Holland, is freewheeling, hilarious, and easygoing. Moore is vibrant in one of her earliest roles as the spirited and artsy Cassandra. She lights up the screen with her energy and perfect comedic timing opposite John Cusack’s bashful leading man. Overall, One Crazy Summer is a lighthearted and delightful movie.
6 G.I. Jane (1997)
When Anne Bancroft’s Senator Lillian DeHaven criticizes the U.S. Navy for not being gender-inclusive, a program that would allow women to serve in the army is planned and executed. Jordan O’Neil is selected as the test subject for the program. Despite everyone expecting her to fail and her commander, Chief Urgayle, putting her through the most excruciating challenges, O’Neil endures the brutal training process and pushes her body and mind to finally earn respect.
Should Have Been A Trailblazer For Efforts
An entertaining action movie with political and feminist themes, G.I. Jane got mixed reviews from critics. Ridley Scott brought his signature visual intensity and fast-paced drama to the narrative, while Moore fought ferociously to own every scene. She committed fully to the physical transformation required for the role, but instead of getting praise, she ended up receiving the Razzie Award for Worst Actress. Regardless, G.I. Jane made Moore famous for breaking barriers.
5 St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)
St. Elmo’s Fire is a distinguished entry into the Brat Pack genre. Demi Moore is paired up with Rob Lowe, Mare Winningham, and Andrew McCarthy, as well as The Breakfast Club’s Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, and Ally Sheedy. Fresh out of college, their tight-knit group of friends struggles with the pressures and uncertainties of adulthood in Washington D.C. Meanwhile, their lives steer in unexpected directions.
A Generation-Defining Drama
Despite getting a poor reception from critics, St. Elmo’s Fire became a definitive coming-of-age movie. Under direction from Joel Schumacher (who also co-wrote the script), it maintained a steady pace and tone and captured ‘80s excess and uncertainty. Moore played Jules, the carefree wild child of the pack, whose life was pristine on the outside but she was on the verge of a massive breakdown on the inside. When it does happen, we hear her uttering the words:
“I never thought I’d be this tired at 22.”
4 About Last Night (1986)
About Last Night is a romantic drama that 20-somethings can relate to the most. It centers around Danny and Bernie, two aimless colleagues hanging out at a softball game. They catch the eye of Debbie, a young woman attending the game with her girlfriends. Danny and Debbie hit it off in no time but struggle to maintain a real relationship amid their fears of commitment, their friends’ judgemental eyes, and making the wrong choice in a partner.
Explores Modern Relationships
Directed by Edward Zwick, About Last Night… marked a turning point in Moore’s career. As Debbie, she offered a nuanced take on the vulnerabilities of being in love, moving in with your partner, and having to go through the various ups and downs and triumphs and heartbreaks before learning valuable lessons about communication and trust.
The film has genuinely good dialogue and intelligent chemistry between Moore and Rob Lowe. Roger Ebert, who gave it four stars, called About Last Night… “one of the rarest of recent American movies.”
3 A Few Good Men (1992)
Rob Reiner’s A Few Good Men is a courtroom thriller that follows Lt. Daniel Kaffee, a US military lawyer known for his penchant for plea bargains. He’s tasked with defending two Marines accused of murdering a fellow Marine. Kaffee wants nothing more than an easy settlement, but his superior, Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway, is convinced that something is wrong and wants to find out the truth.
A Riveting Courtroom Drama
In what can be considered Moore’s most intense performance to date, she brings a steely resolve and a compassionate personality to Joanne. Her chemistry with Tom Cruise crackles under Reiner’s expert direction and the narrative provides a potent setting for her to showcase her dramatic skills.
Moore is surrounded by a top-notch cast that includes Jack Nicholson, Kevin Bacon, Kevin Pollack, and Kiefer Sutherland. The movie was a box office success and it earned four Academy Award nominations.
2 The Substance (2024)
Moore’s latest body horror film is already receiving an incredible amount of praise from critics. The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, features the actress as Elisabeth Sparkle, a once-celebrated star of an aerobics show, who is fired from her job on her 50th birthday for being “too old.” Desperate to reclaim her status, Elisabeth turns to a mysterious black market drug that promises to make her younger. However, the “substance” comes with horrifying side effects that show upon injection.
Bold Exploration of Ageism and Identity
The movie is Fargeat’s second feature attempt, and it stands out for its daring storyline and exceptional vision. Moore takes hold of the desperation of her character, injects depth into her, and emerges with a portrayal that is so haunting and compelling that it’s hard to look away from. Critics made note of how Moore “is fearless in parodying her public image,” which is a reflection on her own journey as an enduring talent. The Substance also stars Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid. It won the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival.
1 Ghost (1990)
The fact that two of Demi Moore’s best movies are dated almost 25 years apart itself is testament to her skills and versatility. Ghost is an extraordinary tale of love that follows Sam Wheat, who has just moved into a loft with the love of his life, Molly Jensen. But he was killed by a thug one night. Sam, worried about Molly’s safety, makes a deal with a psychic named Oda Mae Brown and returns to Molly (as a ghost) to warn her before the murderer strikes again.
An Iconic Love Story That Still Holds Up
Demi Moore gives an incredible performance in her most iconic role as Molly, who is portrayed as young and free-spirited one moment and grief-stricken and terrified the next. Her deep love and longing to reconnect with Patrick Swayze devoted Sam became one of cinema’s most beautiful fantasy romances of all time. Ghost was an enormously successful movie that swept nominations at the Academy Awards. Whoopi Goldberg deservedly won her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for playing the psychic. Overall, the movie is a true cinematic gem thanks to Moore’s soulful performance.
The Substance
, starring Demi Moore, hits theaters on September 20th, 2024.
