Margaret Qualley has revealed the intense physical toll of her work on The Substance, the 2024 horror-drama directed by Coralie Fargeat. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the actress candidly discussed how the film’s extensive prosthetics caused severe skin irritation that lingered long after filming wrapped. "It took me probably a year to recover physically from all of it," Qualley admitted.
The impact on Qualley’s skin was so significant that Fargeat had to adjust how certain scenes were filmed. "At the end, when they’re shooting up my skirt in the beginning credits, and it’s like the palm trees all around and they have all these long lenses from the bottom, that’s just because my face was so fucked up," Qualley said. "They couldn’t shoot my face anymore."
Her struggles didn’t end when The Substance wrapped. Qualley’s next project, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Kinds of Kindness, required her to play four distinct characters. The lingering acne from the prosthetics, however, unexpectedly worked to her advantage. "The character that has all that acne? That was just my acne from the prosthetics," she explained. "I was like, 'Oh, this is kind of perfect.'"
Despite its challenges, The Substance has emerged as a surprise awards-season contender. Horror films often face an uphill battle with voters, but Demi Moore’s performance as an aging TV star who uses a miracle drug to create a younger version of herself has drawn widespread acclaim. Moore won her first Golden Globe for the role, further boosting the film’s visibility.
Though the experience came with physical and emotional challenges, Qualley seems to view it as part of her artistic journey. Her candid revelations highlight the sacrifices actors make in the name of their craft, while the film’s critical success demonstrates the payoff of their dedication.
As The Substance continues to make waves, Qualley’s story serves as a reminder of the resilience required to bring powerful performances to life.
