The Substance (2024)

Synopsis

On her 50th birthday, actress Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) discovers she’s being kicked off her long-running aerobics show. She learns from her producer, Harvey (Dennis Quaid), that she’s no longer hosting because of her age. After being hospitalized for a car crash, Elisabeth learns about The Substance, a drug that promises a better, younger you. The catch is that both the original and the duplicate must switch every seven days and maintain the other. Elisabeth orders The Substance and uses it, creating a younger duplicate, Sue (Margaret Qualley), that replaces her TV show. Despite sharing the same consciousness, Elisabeth and Sue clash, disregarding the supplier’s instructions to remain symbiotic. As Sue continues thriving, Elisabeth slowly deteriorates both mentally and physically as Sue drains the life out of her. But how far are either willing to go to maintain control, and is the price worth it?

Review

The Substance is one of the wildest, most clever, and most outrageous body horror films I’ve seen recently. You get the sense that filmmakers like John Carpenter, Brian Yuzna, and David Cronenberg inspired Coralie Fargeat. Like those directors, Fargeat managed to craft a cleverly satirical story mixed in with gruesome body horror and outrageous gore. This film isn’t for those with weak stomachs, as this film has pretty graphic imagery. Thankfully, there’s a gradual build-up to the gore so you can engage with the story and characters beforehand. You’ll find a biting satire of body image, society’s expectations, ageism, and the destructive power of celebrity. The cinematography exemplifies this message, showing women in intentionally provocative ways contrasted with otherwise repulsive imagery. Some may bemoan that not everything is explained, but that would detract from the film’s focus.

Demi Moore gives easily the best performance of her career as the aging star Elisabeth Sparkle. She shows a more vulnerable side than before and ultimately gives herself over to the part. Seeing her gradually spiral out of control as she fights for control is mesmerizing, and she holds it together. Moore is living proof that, no matter how old you are, you can still give an excellent performance. Margaret Qualley also performs excellently as the younger duplicate Sue, the polar opposite of Elisabeth. Like Moore, she shows a lot of vulnerability and a more manipulative side that’s fun to watch. She knows what she’s got and uses it to her advantage, even if it drains her matrix. She and Moore are perfectly cast opposite one another. Even Dennis Quaid, who has limited screen time, steals the show as the delightfully sleazy and pompous producer.

While it’s clear that other filmmakers influenced her, Coralie Fargeat manages to add her unique spin. This movie is one of those films that lives up to the hype thrown onto it, even surpassing expectations. Going into this, I had no idea what to expect, and I’m glad because going blind was ideal. It’s also surprising that the film is almost two and a half hours long, but it doesn’t feel like it. The movie moves so steadily that it goes by quickly without feeling like it’s rushing to the end. Much like Everything Everywhere All at Once, this film proves that there’s still some originality in Hollywood. If you have a strong stomach and are looking for something different and unique, this movie is highly recommended. Overall, The Substance is an instant classic with excellent performances, a cleverly wicked story, and outrageous body horror.

The Substance is currently playing in theaters worldwide.