Review | The Substance (2024)

Experience the divisive and thought-provoking film, The Substance. Find out why this unique and daring movie will leave audiences split.

Let’s face the facts before we start. The Substance will divide the audience. Half will love what the film contains, while the other half will walk out either feeling sick or scratching their heads. No matter which way you look at it, the film isn’t for the squeamish. Think of David Cronenberg mixed with Stanley Kubrick and added John Carpenter. And that would be just a taste of what you’re in for. Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, some of what is on show here will turn many stomachs at times.

It is almost like a female version of Frankenstein in a way. Or akin to Jekyll & Hyde. In actuality, that is one of the film’s many strengths. It also benefits from two outstanding lead performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. But does the film rejuvenate the formula or is it simply old hat?

THE PREMISE

A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.

THOUGHTS

Strip away the body horror element of the film, the female nudity (which is a lot) from the two main characters and a mad final twenty minutes and you’ll still come away in one of two minds. On the one hand, the film can be considered a genuinely original, scary, completely bats**t nuts classic. On the other, it could be considered to be a whole lot of nothing, a simple excuse for gratuitous nudity, violence, blood and gore and one of the most overhyped films in recent years. That decision will fall on every member of the audience. Some will champion the film, others will deride it. Some will call the film a modern classic while others will want it confined to the bargain bin of filmmaking. But what can’t be called into question is the quality from all concerned that is on show here.

Don’t be fooled by noticing Dennis Quaid’s name on the posters. Although he plays a good part, he is hardly really in the film, not for any extended period of time anyway. When he does appear, he is the most vile, slimy and disgusting human being we can imagine. There is a scene where he is eating prawns in a restaurant in front of Demi Moore’s character Elizabeth Sparkle. Believe me, if that doesn’t disgust you enough, then what happens later surely will. It is gross in a film full of things that will gross the audience out. Quaid plays his role as Harvey as a male chauvinist pig, the kind we all hear about in the news. Although he plays it well, we can draw a comparison with a certain movie mogul who is currently serving a prison term (no prizes for guessing who.) And that in itself has us feeling uneasy.

WHAT THE FILM IS REALLY ABOUT

To break it down to its simplest terms, The Substance is a film about female empowerment. About the Hollywood machine being ageist against actresses over a certain age, and their waning star power. And how they feel about being sidelined in the cruellest way possible. About being pigeonholed into sex objects by lecherous executives who prowl the halls of Tinseltown, looking for the next young female star and planning to exploit them. But throughout, our two female leads prove not only to be the strongest stars in the film but also play their roles with venom. With meaning and merit. Both are empowered in their roles by a script that takes no prisoners, no bulls**t and refuses to conform to what’s expected of it.

Of course, the story comes across as almost Jekyll & Hyde-like, as I stated before. Both actresses are playing the same role, Demi Moore as the fading star Elizabeth Sparkle while Margaret Qualley plays the same role, only younger and named Sue. Confused? You won’t be once you see the film. Both Jekyll & Hyde and The Substance see their respective characters change into something else via a medical concoction. But ultimately, they are the same character. Both see the alter ego become something that cannot be controlled, wanting to take over the life of the original version, to live a life apart from the other. But we know, it isn’t going to work out as they want it to and that it won’t end pretty.

DEMI MOORE

In a remarkable performance, Demi Moore excels and shines as Elizabeth. It isn’t a lie to say that with Coralie Fargeat’s script, the film gives the actress the best role she’s had in years. At times, we feel annoyed with Elizabeth, angry that she takes her dismissal from her job by Harvey for being too old too easily. But these feelings completely turn around as the film progresses. Instead of anger, we feel sorrow, pity and a sense of shame for her. Demi Moore, who seems to have faded from the Hollywood scene in recent years, proves that she is a powerhouse to be reckoned with from the start. This is a brilliant return to form from the actress, one that we should have seen coming. Her prowess has never been in question. She delivers a performance that deserves at the very least an Oscar Nomination for Best Actress.

MARGARET QUALLEY

Margaret Qualley plays the other half of the coin in her role as Sue. When Sue is born (in a scene that has to be seen to be believed), we liken her to a newborn child. All sweetness, innocence and good-hearted. But as time moves on, we begin to see that Sue isn’t what she appears to be. Almost like the character of Hyde, Sue is the darker side of her other self. What we thought was innocence turns out to be a strong-willed desire to become the dominant personality in the symbiotic relationship she has. Sue wants not to have to switch with her other self every seven days. Rebelling against the rules that have to be obeyed. What she doesn’t understand is, that the more she postpones the switch, the more damage she causes to her other self. In essence, she is killing herself as well as Elizabeth.

Margaret Qualley is a superb actress and she proves it here. While not being the perfect doppelganger of Elizabeth, Sue has several of her traits, mannerisms and faults. Both Margaret Qualley and Demi Moore hardly share any real scenes together outside the switching sequences but later on, both actresses come face to face. And believe me, it doesn’t end pretty. Considering they are both playing the same character, in essence, both actresses play off each other superbly. I would like to see Margaret Qualley also get nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars. She, like Demi Moore deserves it for her outstanding performance here. Wouldn’t it be ironic if both of them got nominations in the same category and would be competing against the other for the prize?

CORALIE FARGEAT

Coralie Fargeat writes and directs The Substance with brilliant aplomb. Her screenplay, for which she recently won the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival is almost like the perfect tribute to women. It depicts everything a woman goes through on a regular basis. The overlooking due to age, the ignorance of some people towards them due to the same factor. Being viewed as sexual objects and the need to fight for everything they desire. And wanting to defy the ageing process and the fight for equality, these tropes are all here. And they make for a fascinating and truthful depiction of what women face.

The direction is stunning. The film is colourful where it needs to be. The framing of the various locations is exemplary, even the more dowdy ones compared to the extravagance we see throughout. Coralie Fargeat also pulls out a few masterstrokes with some of the locations and things we see during the film. Her keen eye and desire to pay tribute to some of the body horror movies we have seen before are on full display. Film fans will need to look out for them as some are hidden in plain sight. Others are easily noticeable from the second we see them. No spoilers but keep an eye out for a familiar-looking carpet along the way.

VERDICT

Originally, I was going to say there are no words to describe The Substance. Despite this review, that statement almost holds true. It is an assault on the senses throughout. You don’t hope to have a strong stomach for the film, it is a necessity. There are times when you may be reaching for the popcorn bucket. Not to eat the tasty treat but to not throw up on the cinema floor. Fair warning now, if you’re squeamish and hate the sight of blood, steer well clear of the film. There are many scenes that will have the audience grasping the arms of their seats to steady themselves, to calm their nerves. Going into the final twenty minutes or so, you will need to prepare yourselves as what you will see is gross. And that is putting it in the mildest terms possible.

For those who can stomach what is presented to them during the 140-minute run time, you’ll have to make up your own minds. After seeing the film, I wasn’t sure what I thought or how I felt about it. Almost like the film Babylon, I had to think about whether what I had just seen was brilliantly terrible or terribly brilliant. After thinking about it, reflecting on the film and its content, I’m comfortable to say that, in my opinion, it is terribly brilliant.

NOT FOR EVERYONE

It certainly isn’t for everyone, that is certainly for sure. However, the film is a unique experience without a doubt. Will I experience it again? That is something I’m not sure of. But for now, and if you dare, sit back in your comfortable cinema seat and witness something that has to be seen to be believed. Try The Substance for yourselves. Just don’t eat or drink anything beforehand. And don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The Substance is in cinemas on Friday, courtesy of MUBI.

 

 

 

 

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