Demi Moore, a Hollywood icon known for her timeless beauty, has recently been honored as the “Most Beautiful Woman in the World for 2025” thanks to her stunning looks and remarkable talent. Her career is closely linked to several bold R-rated films, which explore themes of sexuality and often stir controversy. Below are five of the most provocative films in the actress’s career.
About Last Night… (1986)
Adapted from David Mamet’s play “Sexual Perversity in Chicago,” About Last Night… marked a significant turning point in Demi Moore’s career as she took on the role of Debbie, a young woman navigating the complexities of love and relationships. The film grossed $38.7 million at the box office against a budget of just $8.5 million and received a 61% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While Variety praised Moore for her “vivid and authentic” performance, the film’s explicit content sparked considerable debate.
With memorable romantic scenes between Moore and co-star Rob Lowe, coupled with sharp dialogue, the film set a standard for romantic comedies of its era, prompting many viewers to feel uncomfortable. The success of About Last Night… solidified Moore’s status as a bright star of the 1980s, breaking through into mainstream Hollywood.
Indecent Proposal (1993)
Released in 1993, Indecent Proposal is one of the most controversial films in Demi Moore’s career. Directed by Adrian Lyne, the film grossed $266.6 million worldwide but only received a 35% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In the role of Diana Murphy, who is offered $1 million for a night with a billionaire played by Robert Redford, Moore presented a provocative image that prompted discussions about morality and relationships.
The film not only shocked audiences with its premise of “selling oneself” but also drew criticism for its portrayal of women in transactional relationships. However, the chemistry between Moore and Redford helped the film become a cultural phenomenon, reinforcing Moore’s image as a daring actress willing to tackle complex themes.
Disclosure (1994)
Disclosure, based on Michael Crichton’s novel and directed by Barry Levinson, is another film that sparked significant debate in Demi Moore’s career. The film grossed $214 million worldwide and achieved a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but it faced criticism for its treatment of workplace sexual harassment. Moore plays a powerful executive who makes unwanted advances towards her male subordinate, portrayed by Michael Douglas, leading to discussions about gender dynamics in the workplace.
Roger Ebert remarked that the film “diminishes the seriousness of important issues,” while critics accused it of objectifying Moore’s character as a “femme fatale.” The provocative scenes between Moore and Douglas contributed to an ongoing conversation about workplace relationships and gender roles.
Striptease (1996)
Striptease, directed by Andrew Bergman, is one of the most contentious films of Demi Moore’s career, grossing $113 million worldwide on a budget of $50 million but receiving only a 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Moore’s portrayal of a single mother who becomes a stripper to provide for her daughter included several steamy scenes that led The Washington Post to label it as “a commodification of the female form.”
Moore’s reported salary of $12.5 million made her one of the highest-paid actresses at the time, igniting discussions about her “selling” her image for profit.
Some audiences and critics viewed the film as empowering for women, whereas others, including various feminist groups, argued that it glorified exploitation while lacking genuine depth. Protests at screenings and viral discussions on social media have continued to scrutinize Moore’s performance.
The Substance (2024)
The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, has received a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $44 million worldwide with a budget of $17.8 million. In her role as Elisabeth Sparkle, Moore has been nominated for a Golden Globe and an Oscar, with The Hollywood Reporter calling her performance “powerful.” The film features graphic imagery, intense violence, and discussions about aging, challenging audiences with its bold content.
The film’s 18+ content includes explicit scenes featuring Moore, showcasing the harsh realities of fame. These elements, combined with its gritty narrative, have resulted in heated discussions regarding the depiction of women in cinema. Nonetheless, Moore’s fearless portrayal has elevated The Substance into a notable work of art, marking her return to the cinematic spotlight in 2024.
