You might want to skip the popcorn while watching this heavy ride. This film may be the treasure chest of the body horror genre. The most creative, rude, and disgusting awakening to the subject matter is the great body image. The Substance follows the Hollywood star, Elizabeth Sparkle, who has had a long and successful career in a workout aerobics style TV show. However, in the world of Hollywood, her time is ticking. She comes across this black market drug called "The Substance" that claims to give her the ability to develop another version of herself that is younger and beautiful but has to switch bodies every seven days. So, every other week, she is loved by many, and the other week, she is her same self, but this constant switch between the new and old body ends up being tragic for Elizabeth's well-being. If you are someone who is a bit squeamish and can't handle blood, to say the least, I think it will be best to skip this grotesque masterpiece. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley explore the premise of body swapping, and both confront their insecurities and ultimately question the wild nature of beauty and perfection.
The story of Elizabeth Sparkle is heartbreaking to see unfold. Elizabeth goes through this insane procedure to be this younger, better, ultimate version of herself in Sue. When she gets to live as Sue, she doesn't do anything different from what she did as Elizabeth. She returned to the same job, looking for a new Elizabeth, and now, Sue has replaced her. She did not realize that going down the same path would eventually lead to her being discarded once again. The success that people strive for in the industry was something Elizabeth already had. She had all the awards, all the accolades, all of the fans, but all of these things are superficial and never last. She might have succeeded in this dream, but she is lonely at the end of the day with no family or friends, just her luxury lifestyle that didn't bring her true joy. The film's commentary is genius in tackling new, fresh faces coming into the industry. This is what makes the story so heartbreaking, not just reflecting the film but also society as a whole. It repeats the same pattern without ever learning all to reach this superficial beauty standard that is extremely unhealthy.
Dennis Quaid plays this high-up television executive named Harvey. His character is extremely misogynistic and very on the nose. His portrayal is a caricature, but intentionally so, because the director, Coralie Fargeat, wants men in the industry to be uncomfortable and reflect on it. Earlier in the movie, there is a scene where Harbey is eating shrimp in a dirty and disgusting way. He looks at other women in the restaurant in the same revoluting way as he fires Elizabeth. All this while, Elizabeth is expected to take this behavior, sit very demurely, and keep herself adjusted. There is a way he treats Sue as a product, something he can control, not a person at all. These subtle things about the movie are very on the nose, but seeing this shoved into the audience's faces and reflecting on the expectations is satisfying. The zero sense of shame men have towards their gross behavior.
Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley deliver raw and challenging performances with the intensity to live up to unattainable societal beauty standards. The film blends humor and drama as these characters reflect and lose their way on the pressure of appearance.
We have all heard the saying, "Your worst critic is yourself," this movie has made me find a newfound kindness toward myself. I left the film feeling nauseous, terror, despair, and emotional damage. The prime is simple, but the execution focuses on delivering the same message each time with a higher stake than the previous. The unusual angles and immersiveness make everything seem explicit and extremely uncomfortable, almost like this was in 4D. The makeup and effects are insane and surreal, complementing the soundtrack and sound design. It is too real and creates this chaotic atmosphere.
Coralie Fargeat did not want the film to be subtle; she wanted it to be confrontational, and she translated it beautifully and gory. The film is extremely in your face and is a big middle finger to the Hollywood industry, and I am so glad to all who watch it feel deeply uncomfortable. I'm unsure what film can top this soon regarding the theater experience. I look forward to seeing what Fargeat has in store for future films; no matter how gross or nauseous I may feel, this is a first-watch experience I will never forget.
Written by Daniel Rojas