September 20th 2024.
If you're a fan of horror movies, then you've probably heard of The Substance. It's been making waves since its premiere at Cannes, and for good reason. This film takes body horror to the extreme, with vomited-up breasts, buckets of blood, and slimy, naked flesh. It's not for the faint of heart, but it's certainly been grabbing headlines and garnering quite a bit of attention.
One of the most talked about aspects of The Substance is the bold and daring performance by Hollywood star Demi Moore. She bares it all, both literally and figuratively, in this vulnerable and exposing role. Her performance is powerful and drives the heart of the film, but there's one moment towards the end that left me feeling uncomfortable and questioning the message of the film.
Despite this, The Substance still managed to win a screenplay award at Cannes and has been praised by critics as "demented" and "an instant classic." Some have even called it "the most insane movie of the last 20 years." And I have to say, I agree with most of these statements. Coralie Fargeat's film is a true body horror masterpiece, splattering the audience with blood, gore, and organs in a way that only a literal body horror can.
The film follows fading A-list actress Elisabeth Sparkle, played by Demi Moore, who is axed from her morning show segment by the hideous TV exec Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid. In a desperate attempt to preserve her beauty and youth, Elisabeth takes an experimental substance that promises to make her younger, more beautiful, and more perfect. But as we all know, things are never that simple. The film takes a gruesome turn when a new, shiny version of Elisabeth bursts forth from Moore's body, and the descent into monstrous grotesqueness begins.
The pace of the film is driven by the massive secret that Elisabeth and her alter-ego Sue, played by Margaret Qualley, must hide from the public and from themselves. They must trade off living their glamorous Hollywood lives, but they must never go beyond seven days each, or else they will face unimaginable consequences. And of course, they inevitably break this rule, leading to a horrific and stomach-churning climax that may leave some viewers feeling faint or even laughing in shock.
Fargeat's direction revels in the film's brightly colored glamour, which she contrasts with the feral behavior of her leading ladies. She also builds tension throughout the film, knowing that the audience is anticipating the inevitable breaking of the rules. And when that moment finally arrives, the special effects department truly outdoes themselves with a creature of limbs, teeth, slime, and flesh that is both terrifying and impressive.
But let's not forget the vomited-up breasts, blood hosing, and explosions of body matter that truly serve the body horror fanbase. This film is not for the faint of heart, but for those who enjoy being entertained and grossed out in equal measures.
However, towards the end, as the film reaches its outrageous climax, it's hard not to feel uncomfortable laughing at a woman's desperate attempts to conform to society's unrealistic ideals of perfection. The Substance has been hailed as a feminist film, shedding light on the pressure women face to be cosmetically perfect, but for me, it missed the mark slightly. It doesn't add anything groundbreaking to this discussion, but it does succeed in repulsing and impressing audiences with its descent into disgustingness.
The Substance is now out in UK cinemas, and if you're a fan of horror and body horror in particular, it's definitely worth a watch. But be warned, it's not for the faint of heart. So if you're up for a truly gruesome and grotesque ride, go see it. And if you have a weak stomach, maybe sit this one out.
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