[You can watch the 1 minute review above or read a more extended version below!]
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The Substance is a darkly humorous dive into body horror and satire that you won’t forget anytime soon, a blend of grotesque visuals with sharp wit to create an experience that’s as captivating as it is twisted.
Directed by Coralie Fargeat, making her second feature after 2017’s Revenge, the film further cements her reputation as a storyteller unafraid to push boundaries. The Substance finds the filmmaker tackling themes like societal conventions, self-acceptance, ageism, and the price of fame—all from a distinctly female perspective. While the narrative doesn’t delve deeply into these themes, it presents them in a refreshingly audacious manner. The story unfolds like a nasty fairy tale, unapologetically in-your-face and designed to provoke. Nuance and subtlety take a backseat here; instead, the film offers a knowingly outrageous ride filled with visual extravagance, relentless energy, and a self-aware wink to the audience.
The performances by Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley are fantastic. Moore, in particular, delivers a fearless portrayal, putting a lot of herself forward—quite literally—in a role that echoes her own position in Hollywood. Her character grapples with the harsh realities of fame and ageing in an industry obsessed with youth, and Moore brings a raw authenticity to the role.
Admittedly, the film does become slightly repetitive once its trajectory is set. There are moments where the pacing lags slightly as it marches towards the inevitable spiral. However, the crescendo is nothing short of spectacular—a deliriously morbid, unabashedly bonkers closing act that delivers on all the film’s promises and leaves a lasting impression.
The Substance feels like a cinematic mash-up of Requiem for a Dream and the visceral stylings of David Cronenberg. It blends psychological exploration with body horror in a way that feels both familiar and refreshingly original. The film confidently accomplishes what it sets out to do, offering a statement that’s as entertaining as it is unsettling.
