The brilliant new Demi Moore movie you’ll probably hate
Having covered film for the Coeur d’Alene Press since 2006, I've developed a solid grasp of what appeals to the audience when it comes to movies.
During my first few weeks writing for The Press, I quickly became aware of the political landscape in North Idaho. I received several unpleasant emails from readers upset about my suggestion to watch Al Gore's documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth." Even the station's weatherman poked fun at me for it.
While there are many political themes to consider, I realize that many viewers prefer not to take risks with challenging or “unentertaining” films, especially those that explore themes of sex and violence. This isn't unique to North Idaho; it seems to be the case for most filmgoers. People generally want to enjoy themselves at the movies! They seek escapism and entertainment, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I believe the craving for entertainment is the main reason many people feel that there's a gap between critics and general moviegoers. Unlike the average viewer, critics and some dedicated film lovers don't always watch movies purely for enjoyment. Instead, they often seek to be challenged or to engage with complex themes and issues.
As I haven't worked as a full-time critic with convenient access to the wide range of films available in big cities and at film festivals, my tastes are somewhat balanced. I enjoy unique films and directors who are daring in their storytelling, but I also have a soft spot for mindless action films and superhero movies (though I've grown weary of the recent flood of them).
That's why you’ll find totally outrageous films like “Titane” and “Mother!” on my annual Top 10-20 lists, despite not often discussing such unconventional movies in my writing. After seeing eight different audience members leave the theater during a local showing of “Mother!” (which was over half the crowd), I realized that my take on the film likely wouldn’t be very useful for typical readers seeking recommendations.
That being said, I realize it's probably not a good idea to suggest a film like "The Substance" to my readers. Given that I was one of just four attendees at the screening—two of whom actually walked out during a notably disturbing scene—I doubt this Demi Moore body horror/thriller will still be showing in theaters by the time you read this article.
Nonetheless, I want to make it clear that “The Substance” stands out as one of the most intense and daring films of the year, featuring a career-best performance from Moore.
“The Substance” is the latest work by French writer and director Coralie Fargeat, known for her intense and outstanding thriller “Revenge,” released in 2017. Fargeat draws inspiration from the pioneers of body horror, particularly David Cronenberg. While “The Fly” is often considered the pinnacle of the body horror genre, “The Substance” is distinctly vying for that top position.
Long, deliberately unsettling, and filled with a constantly sticky atmosphere (enhanced by a chilling sound design), “The Substance” tells the story of a once-famous actress (Moore) who attempts to revive her career by using an illegal beauty product. However, this so-called beauty treatment isn't what it appears. The injection of this serum instigates a gruesome cellular replication that brings forth a younger version of herself (played by Margaret Qualley). While both versions share a sort of shared awareness, failing to keep the “balance” could lead to severe repercussions. She has to spend seven days in the new body, followed by another seven in her older one, with no exceptions. Otherwise, things could get messy.
Right from the start of "The Substance," there are plenty of close-up shots of needles and injections, which I find even more unsettling than some of the gruesome scenes that come later. While Fargeat's film lightly touches on themes like toxic masculinity and the harsh realities of ageism in Hollywood, its real strength lies in Moore's deeper, more reflective performance. She also delivers a convincing scream during the body horror scenes.
Let me tell you, “The Substance” is incredibly bloody. It throws one outrageous idea after another at you and challenges you to handle the grotesqueness. Honestly, if you're reading this, you'd probably be better off skipping it. You'll likely leave feeling so disturbed you'll want to fire off a nasty email to me right away.
You can contact Tyler Wilson at [email protected].
This picture made available by Mubi features Margaret Qualley in a moment from "The Substance."
