Julianne Moore has said she does not want to repeat the extreme physical transformation she undertook for Todd Haynes’s 1995 film Safe. Although the critically acclaimed performance helped establish her reputation, Moore later said making herself seriously ill for the role was “crazy” and “wasn’t worth it”.

Safe portrays an affluent housewife who develops a debilitating illness and believes chemicals are responsible. Moore lost a significant amount of weight despite already being slender, and the film’s limited commercial success contrasted with its critical praise. The article places the performance within her wider rise, from early television work and poorly received films to Oscar nominations and later acclaim.