A stylized film that ranges from comedy to grotesque, The Substance, about an aging star who wants her youth and adoration back, is a lot of fun and may have you covering your eyes.
I have talked many times about my aversion to scary movies, but every once in a while, there’s a crossover that I want to see. The last one that I can remember is Sinners, which was stunning, but because I covered my eyes at all of the creepy scenes, I didn’t feel it was right to review it. I missed too much of the movie to feel like that was fair. I was really hoping the same thing didn’t happen here, and luckily, I was right.
The Substance is about Elizabeth Sparkle, a fading superstar who is soon to be kicked out of the little limelight that is left. When she is slipped a note and phone number by a hospital worker, she calls and is told that she can subscribe to the ability to split herself into a younger version, as long as she takes turns with each body for a week at a time.
There is so much to say about this movie, but let’s start with – it is very funny and contains significant body horror, particularly as you move deeper into the story. If you are bothered by visuals and sounds of gross things happening with bodies (many of which have been created for this specific story), be prepared to close your eyes. This said, all of it is played for laughs and shock value to continually affirm the overlying message.
The Substance is about the ridiculousness of what beauty standards are and what some people will do to have it. In our society, between lifts and injections and surgeries, many people become obsessive. I do not advocate judging anyone for their decisions about their own body, but this film is a clear statement about what one can do to themself if given all of the options.
The entire movie is gorgeously shot. Once you meet Sue, Elizabeth Sparkle’s alter ego, everything appears like a 1980s commercial. The bright pastel colors, the fizz of the Diet Coke that she is drinking, and the closeups of her body parts all highlight the fact that she is meant to be seen and not heard. She speaks very little and everyone thinks she is the best thing since sliced bread because she is visual youth and perfection.
Starring Demi Moore (who won the Academy Award for this role), Margaret Qualley as Sue (soft yet cunning), and Dennis Quaid as network bigwig Harvey, the vast majority of the movie lands at their feet. Harvey is a bombastic and atrocious man who eats disgustingly and is in control of everything. And the way the camera tracks everything he does lets you know everything you need to know about his power in spite of the general ick.
The score and ambiance in the film is also unexpected. Where you would expect eerie music, rock music plays. When Elizabeth Sparkle is on screen, colors are more muted vs the teeny bop colors that Sue receives.
With a message about how wanting external accolades can eat you alive until there is nothing left, The Substance is a unique film that you can’t compare with any other. And while there are some twisted visuals, if you stick with the theme of the story, you’ll understand how it all fits together. It’s definitely worth taking the ride, even if you have to occasionally close your eyes. It’s unlike anything else, and it’s a really good time.
Runtime: 141 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: R
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Available: Free on Max and Hulu, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
I have talked many times about my aversion to scary movies, but every once in a while, there’s a crossover that I want to see. The last one that I can remember is Sinners, which was stunning, but because I covered my eyes at all of the creepy scenes, I didn’t feel it was right to review it. I missed too much of the movie to feel like that was fair. I was really hoping the same thing didn’t happen here, and luckily, I was right.
