Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? You, only better in every way. You should try this new product, it’s called The Substance. IT CHANGED MY LIFE. With The Substance, you can generate another you: younger, more beautiful, more perfect. You just have to share time — one week for one, one week for the other. A perfect balance of seven days each… Easy right? If you respect the balance… What could possibly go wrong?
REVIEW:
Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance” is a daring and grotesque exploration of society’s obsession with youth and beauty. This body horror film, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, is as much a satire as it is a visual spectacle, offering a biting commentary on the lengths to which people will go to achieve physical perfection.
Demi Moore delivers a performance that is both fearless and deeply affecting. As Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading Hollywood star who undergoes a radical transformation, Moore brings a raw vulnerability to the role. Her portrayal is layered with a mix of desperation and determination, making Elisabeth’s journey both tragic and compellin. . Critics have already begun to buzz about Moore’s potential for an Oscar nomination, and rightly so. Her performance is a tour de force that showcases her range and depth as an actress.
“The Substance” is a scathing satire on the beauty industry and society’s relentless pursuit of physical perfection. The film’s narrative centers around a mysterious serum that promises to restore youth and beauty, but at a horrifying cost. Fargeat uses this premise to critique the unrealistic standards imposed on women, particularly in Hollywood. The film’s grotesque body horror elements serve to underscore the absurdity and danger of these societal pressures.
Coralie Fargeat’s direction is bold and unapologetic. She skillfully blends horror and satire, creating a film that is both thought-provoking and visually arresting. The use of vibrant, neon-lit cinematography adds a surreal quality to the film, enhancing its otherworldly atmosphere. However, Fargeat’s penchant for shock value can sometimes overshadow the film’s more subtle moments, making it feel overly sensational at times.
“The Substance” is a film that dares to confront society’s obsession with beauty in a way that is both horrifying and darkly humorous. Demi Moore’s standout performance elevates the film, making it a must-watch for fans of body horror and satirical cinema. While it has its flaws, “The Substance” is a bold and memorable entry in the genre, offering a searing critique of the beauty industry’s darker side.
The Substance is also a rich tapestry of influences from iconic directors like Stanley Kubrick, David Lynch, and David Cronenberg, while also continuing themes from Fargeat’s previous works.
The cinematography in The Substance echoes Kubrick’s meticulous style, particularly reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange. The use of stark, high-contrast lighting and symmetrical compositions creates a visually arresting and unsettling atmosphere. Kubrick’s penchant for natural light, as seen in Barry Lyndon, is mirrored in the film’s use of ambient lighting to enhance the eerie, clinical feel of certain scenes..
The set design draws heavily from 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Shining. The sterile, futuristic environments of 2001 are reflected in the sleek, minimalist interiors where the substance is administered. Meanwhile, the labyrinthine corridors and oppressive atmosphere of The Shining are evoked in the more claustrophobic and tense scenes, creating a sense of dread and disorientation.
Fargeat’s use of body horror in The Substance both reflects and diverges from Cronenberg’s work in Scanners, The Fly, and Dead Ringers. Like Cronenberg, Fargeat explores the grotesque and transformative aspects of the human body, using visceral imagery to shock and provoke. However, while Cronenberg often focuses on the psychological and existential implications of bodily transformation, Fargeat uses body horror to satirize societal obsessions with youth and beauty.
The makeup in The Substance elevates and reflects the grotesque beauty seen in Lynch’s The Elephant Man and Eraserhead. The prosthetics and makeup effects are not just for shock value but serve to deepen the narrative, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of the characters’ transformations. The meticulous detail in the makeup work creates a haunting, surreal quality that is quintessentially Lynchian.
Fargeat continues to explore themes of female empowerment, transformation, and societal critique in The Substance, much like in her debut film Revenge. Both films feature strong female protagonists who undergo significant physical and emotional transformations, challenging societal norms and expectations. The critique of beauty standards and the commodification of youth is a central theme, reflecting Fargeat’s ongoing interest in the pressures faced by women in contemporary society.
Moore delivers a powerful performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, capturing the desperation and vulnerability of a woman clinging to her fading youth. Her portrayal is both sympathetic and chilling, particularly in scenes where she confronts her younger self.
Qualley shines as Sue, the younger version of Elisabeth. Her performance is nuanced, balancing innocence with a growing awareness of the darker implications of her existence. The dynamic between Moore and Qualley is compelling, adding depth to the film’s exploration of identity and self-worth.
The Substance is a sharp satire on society’s obsession with body image, beauty, youth, aging, and fame. The film critiques the lengths to which individuals will go to maintain their appearance and the societal pressures that drive these extreme measures. By using body horror as a vehicle for satire, Fargeat highlights the absurdity and horror of these cultural obsessions, making a powerful statement about the human condition.
The Substance gets a 4.0/5 or an A- . It’s streaming on Mubi.
CREDITS:
Directed by
Written by
Coralie Fargeat
Produced by
- Coralie Fargeat
- Tim Bevan
- Eric Fellner
Starring
Cinematography
Benjamin Kracun
Edited by
- Coralie Fargeat
- Jérôme Eltabet
- Valentin Feron
Music by
Production
companies
- Working Title Films
- Blacksmith
Distributed by
- Mubi (United Kingdom and United States)
- Metropolitan Filmexport(France)
Release dates
- 19 May 2024(Cannes)
- 20 September 2024(United Kingdom and United States)
- 6 November 2024(France)
Running time
141 minutes[1]
Countries
- France
- United Kingdom
- United States
Language
English
Budget
$17.5 million
Leave a Reply