The Substance (Horror/Sci-fi)
The Substance Review – Demi Moore Shines in Outrageous and Grisly Body Horror Satire
The Substance is a grisly, over-the-top body horror comedy that takes a satirical jab at misogyny and Hollywood's obsession with youth and appearance. Directed by Coralie Fargeat, known for the 2017 thriller Revenge, this film dials up the absurdity with a wild mix of dark humor, grotesque imagery, and commentary on media-driven body objectification.
At the heart of the film is Demi Moore, brilliantly cast as Elisabeth Sparkle, a once-famous Hollywood star whose career is on the brink of collapse. Moore embraces the bizarre premise with gusto, playing Elisabeth as a woman desperately trying to stay relevant in an industry that values youth above all else. Elisabeth's career pivot to hosting a retro workout show feels like a nod to her own longevity in the public eye. However, things take a surreal turn when Elisabeth stumbles upon a secret medical procedure called "The Substance," which promises to extrude a younger, perfect version of oneself from their body. Enter Sue, played by Margaret Qualley, who embodies Elisabeth’s youthful alter ego, taking over her life and career while Elisabeth struggles to maintain her existence.
The film doesn’t shy away from gruesome body horror or satirical jabs, particularly at the male-dominated media industry, embodied by a cartoonishly villainous Dennis Quaid as Harvey, an executive indifferent to Elisabeth’s plight. The absurdity of the premise is heightened with scenes that border on the grotesque, as Sue’s "perfection" begins to unravel in horrific ways.
The Substance has a distinctly campy and retro vibe, harking back to the era of VHS horror classics and schlocky sci-fi thrillers like Looker. Though flawed and arguably overstretched, the film revels in its own trashy aesthetic, offering plenty of shocks and laughs along the way. While it may not have the "serious substance" its title suggests, it’s a bold, entertaining satire with Moore’s game performance at its core, poking fun at Hollywood’s beauty standards and the lengths women are expected to go to preserve their youth.
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