February 8, 2025: In a career-defining moment, actress Demi Moore was awarded the prestigious Critics Choice Award for Best Actress for her remarkable performance in The Substance at the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards. The ceremony took place on Friday (local time) at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, with Hollywood’s brightest stars in attendance.
The 62-year-old actress triumphed over a strong field of nominees, including Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Karla Sofia Gascon (Emilia Perez), Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths), Angelina Jolie (Maria), and Mikey Madison (Anora). Moore’s win comes after her stellar portrayal of Elisabeth Sparkle, a struggling actress in The Substance, a dark horror-comedy film.
The Substance tells the story of Elisabeth, who becomes obsessed with a mysterious drug that promises eternal youth and relevance. The drug creates a younger version of her character, played by Margaret Qualley. As the two versions of Elisabeth share the same public persona, they are forced to navigate increasingly complex and dangerous lives. The film has garnered significant attention for Moore’s compelling performance, which has earned her rave reviews from critics.
In her acceptance speech, Moore expressed her gratitude: “I’m truly honored to receive this recognition. This role challenged me in ways I never expected, and I’m grateful to everyone who believed in this project.” The win adds to Moore’s growing list of accolades, including her first Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical earlier this year.
In addition to her Critics Choice win, Moore’s remarkable performance in The Substance has also earned her a spot among the five contenders for Best Actress at the upcoming 2025 Academy Awards.
The 30th Critics Choice Awards ceremony, which was rescheduled from January 12 to February 7 due to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, also saw Conclave and Wicked dominate the film nominations, each earning 11 nods, including Best Picture. On the television side, Shogun led with six nominations, while Abbott Elementary, Disclaimer, Hacks, The Diplomat, The Penguin, and What We Do in the Shadows garnered four nominations each.
Hosted by Chelsea Handler, the awards ceremony was streamed live in India on Lionsgate Play, allowing fans worldwide to celebrate the best in film and television.
Moore’s win at the Critics Choice Awards solidifies her place as one of Hollywood’s most talented and versatile actresses, continuing to captivate audiences with her bold and captivating performances.