Released: 20th September 2024 (UK and US)
Length: 141 Minutes
Certificate: 18
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Starring: Demi Moore, Margeret Qualley and Dennis Quaid
Coralie Fargeat is a rising star in adult-oriented cinema. Following a strong debut with 2017’s Revenge, the director leans into her main inspirations with The Substance, perhaps the most wild and shocking release of the year.
In modern Los Angeles, Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) is a washed up star of eighties TV, looked on with disdain by her unpleasant boss Harvey (Dennis Quaid). Dissatisfied with her current life and status, she stumbles across an elusive company with a single product. By injecting herself with the titular liquid, a younger version of Elizabeth is created with some crucial rules attached. Adopting the name Sue (Margaret Qualley), the perfect clone quickly grabs the attention of the slimy studio executives and is showered with TV deals and luxuries. Drunk on fame, Sue’s careless indulgences bring about some nasty, self-destructive results. There are many shocking moments in The Substance, but the film goes much deeper in its critique of celebrity culture. The title boasts a lot of subtle depth about consumerism, superficiality and the abuse people put their bodies through for acceptance and pleasure. All of this is accomplished with a focused pace that keeps the audience locked into the downward spiral; it’s the anticipation of the grave consequences that immerses you in the plot. The film’s final sequences crank up the sense of disgust to the max; when compared with the first two acts, this may feel like too much with a staggering amount of gore.
The Substance has a very small cast with three main leads. Demi Moore is brilliant throughout with the protagonist going through multiple stages of deterioration both mentally and physically. When she gazes at her younger self on a billboard and returns to the mirror again and again for a flawless look, you can feel the stress and personal anxiety boiling up. In turn, the vanity of Sue just builds and builds with two personas on and off camera. Margaret Qualley is equally strong with a sense of panicked desperation as Sue pushes her luck too many times. Both actresses convey the characters and their individual transformations vividly. Dennis Quaid’s Harvey is more simple but very effective. All his insensitive comments and quick glances towards scantily-clad women tell you everything you need to know about his demeanour. Much like the story, Fargeart places all the emphasis on Elizabeth and Sue, never pulling away from their perspectives.
You’ll quickly find that The Substance is all about contrasts. The differences between Elizabeth and Sue are constantly emphasised with their looks, activities and actions. There are many leering shots of Sue’s body, especially on her exercise show, that are designed to appeal to the male gaze. This is a crucial part of the film’s story and tone; it mirrors our own society’s approach to advertising and expectations of beauty, manufacturing unrealistic standards that constantly play on sex appeal. These images are placed against the degeneration of Elizabeth with one sequence involving comfort eating that will really get under your skin. The sound design is intentionally repulsive as the more disgusting elements are delivered alongside many close-up shots. Then there’s the body horror itself, which relies almost exclusively on make-up and costume work. Without giving anything away, the final burst of blood and viscera is jaw-dropping, a testament to the excellent practical effects. The production is accompanied by a pulsing soundtracks that amplifies the worsening situation.
If you’re willing to dive into its twisted story, The Substance will offer one of the most unique experiences of any film this year. The insanity of the third act may be off-putting to some, but this is an impressive slice of body horror that gives the genre a modern boost.
Rating: 4/5 Stars (Great)
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