Movie Review: 'The Substance' is brilliantly disgusting and deranged
In the opening two hours, "The Substance" stands out as a skillfully crafted and enjoyable film. Writer and director Coralie Fargeat delivers a powerful critique of ageism and sexism in Hollywood, layered with an entertaining twist of body horror that adds a touch of sweetness and glamour.
However, it's the film's wildly chaotic, gory, and inevitably divisive final act that truly makes it memorable.
What starts off as a somewhat unsettling yet watchable sci-fi film takes a turn into the realms of absurdity and brutality, ultimately transforming — in the most literal sense — into a classic monster movie. It’s up to the audience to determine who the real monster is.
Fargeat, who took home the best screenplay award at this year's Cannes Film Festival, has expressed her admiration for David Cronenberg, the iconic director of "The Fly." Fans of body horror will definitely notice his strong influence in her work. However, “The Substance” stands out on its own and is enriched by Fargeat’s insights, stemming from her personal struggles with body image and society's judgment.
“The Substance” follows the journey of Elisabeth Sparkle, a popular aerobics instructor with her own TV show, portrayed with a mix of strength and vulnerability by Demi Moore. On her 50th birthday, she experiences a sudden setback when a heartless executive, played brilliantly by Dennis Quaid, decides to terminate her contract. Quaid masterfully captures the essence of a sleazy and unpleasant character.
Feeling overlooked by a town that once adored her and lamenting her fading fame, Sparkle hears from an attractive young nurse about an illegal drug that claims to transform its user into a "younger, more beautiful, more perfect" version of themselves. At first, she throws the phone number away without a second thought, but panic soon drives her to retrieve it and place an order.
The main guideline is that Sparkle and her improved version (played by Margaret Qualley) need to swap lives every week. This means she has to relive her life as her 50-year-old self for seven days at a time. However, the temptation of youth and the appeal of a perfect body are hard to ignore. What’s the harm in extending her time by a day or two?
Benjamin Kracun's cinematography, especially his low-angle shots and close-ups that evoke the style of David Lynch — a director whom Fargeat acknowledges as an influence — skillfully conveys the pervasive sense of claustrophobia and tension present, even when Sparkle embodies her more refined self.
Fargeat's captivating creation brings to mind Lynch, blending elements of fashion, architecture, aerobics, and cutting-edge cell-replicating drugs to create a unique, timeless setting.
With body horror becoming increasingly popular at film festivals, especially with titles like Julia Ducournau’s "Titane" and David Cronenberg’s "Crimes of the Future" debuting at Cannes in recent years, it's tempting to dismiss this film as merely riding the current trend.
However, "The Substance" stands out and avoids being overlooked in the mix.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the film is that, despite its 140-minute length, it never seems to lose momentum. Fargeat intensifies the tension right up to the final moments, culminating in an astonishingly chaotic closing scene that somehow remains deeply impactful.
One possible criticism of the movie is that its satire and exaggerated characters can feel excessive, particularly with many of the male figures portraying blatant misogyny. However, this exaggerated approach is also what contributes to the film's overall enjoyment.
"The Substance," a film available on Mubi, has received an R rating from the Motion Picture Association due to its intense scenes of violence, bloodshed, explicit nudity, and strong language. The movie has a duration of 140 minutes and has been rated three and a half stars out of four.
