Moore also co-starred with Hugh Grant, Dennis Quaid and William Dafoe in Paul Weitz's satirical comedy "American Dreamz", which was released in April 2006. She played Sally Kendoo, a sociopathic contestant on a singing competition series modelled after "American Idol." Weitz said that he had Moore in mind for the role before she was cast, explaining that "there's something inherently sweet about Mandy; it makes it all the more interesting to see her in a villainess role." Moore has said that she enjoys playing mean-spirited characters, but fears being typecast as a villain. The film opened at number nine at the U.S. box office, eventually totaling barely $7 million, and it received generally mixed reviews. Owen Gleiberman of "Entertainment Weekly" praised Moore's and Grant's "wicked barbed chemistry" in their roles, but Robert Koehler of "Variety" called Moore's role a "pitch-perfect study of a woman for whom a reality show is reality."