The Substance is one of those films where you want to look away but can’t. It’s exploitative, revolting, ridiculous, and completely absorbing body-horror movie fun.
In The Substance, a washed-up celebrity named Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) discovers a miracle drug that creates a younger, more idealised version of herself, allowing her to share time between her true self and this new persona. It’s a seductive concept that spirals into unimaginable horrors as she battles the shocking consequences of tampering with identity and perfection.
This film is absurdist horror at its finest. Director Coralie Fargeat, known for French horror-thriller Revenge (2017), once again dives headfirst into the grotesque, both in terms of physical horror and the characters’ monstrous ambitions. From the first dose of “The Substance”, we’re thrust into a nightmarish world where the pursuit of youth has never been more revolting or, paradoxically, more relatable. The film is a vicious commentary on the Hollywood machine, exploiting beauty and perfection until there’s nothing left but an unsettling mess of flesh and ego.
The body horror is repulsive—in the best way possible. As Elisabeth’s transformations become more monstrous, we are treated to visuals that rival the classics of the genre – think The Fly (1986) with a dash of Videodrome (1983) and a sprinkle of The Thing (1982), but amped up for a generation obsessed with beauty filters and cosmetic surgery. There’s a twisted poetry in watching these characters unravel, both physically and morally, as their obsession with youth devours them.
The themes hit hard: ageism, Hollywood’s obsession with perfection, and the toxic pursuit of immortality. Elisabeth’s desperation to regain her former glory is tragically reflective of real-world pressures placed on women in the entertainment industry. It’s rare to see these issues explored so boldly, making the movie a biting satire on the cruelty of aging in a world that demands eternal youth.
Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid all deliver powerhouse performances. Moore, in particular, is terrifyingly good as Elisabeth—a woman whose self-hatred drives her to extremes. Qualley plays the ‘idealised version’ with a vacant, chilling beauty that contrasts sharply with Moore’s raw vulnerability. And Quaid, as the slimy executive Harvey, steals scenes as a personification of the industry’s exploitation. Their chemistry is electric, each feeding off the other’s descent into madness.
In terms of body horror, films in which the body becomes a battleground for larger societal issues, The Substance comfortably sits alongside classics of the genre. Fargeat’s film is just as shocking and unnerving, carving out a well-deserved place in the genre’s hall of fame.
The one drawback? As the film nears its climax, it goes fully off the rails. The final act descends into such extreme absurdity that it risks undercutting its poignant themes. A more restrained ending might have left a greater impact, but as it stands, it feels like the chaos drowns out some of the deeper messages.
Still, for genre fans, The Substance is a treat—an unapologetically strange and nasty ride that will leave them squirming. But for those outside of the horror circle, this film might be a bit much. Watching people’s shocked reactions, though, is half the fun.
Fun Fact:
Ray Liotta was cast in the film in February 2022. He died in May that year before he could film his scenes. Dennis Quaid replaced him as a result. He is still mentioned in the director’s “Thank You” notes during the credits.
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