The Substance
A body-horror movie that tackles our idea of identity
Director Coralie Fargeat delivers a highly entertaining film with The Substance, which is a gruesome film peppered with moments of unexpected comedy. Demi Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, an actress whose career enters the wilderness when she turns fifty. Following a car crash, she receives a parcel containing a USB stick. It contains information that teaches her about ‘The Substance’, a drug that can split DNA, creating a younger version of someone.
When Elisabeth takes this substance, a more youthful version is borne out of her, a young woman named Sue (Margaret Qualley). From that moment, Elisabeth and Sue only get to live their lives seven days at a time before they must switch. It works for a while until the arrangement is broken when Sue wants more time to live.
As a result, Elisabeth rapidly ages, setting off a chain of events that paves the way for the film's chaotic, yet hilarious ending. If you’re familiar with 1989’s Society, you’ll notice similarities with how this film takes an unexpected turn.
Demi Moore delivers a standout performance
Demi Moore embodies Elisabeth with raw honesty. She goes through a range of emotions to express vulnerability and hostility towards Sue. You see her lonely when she no longer has a television show, insecurity when she lacks the confidence to date nerdy-looking Bob Haswell, and jealousy at Sue’s fame.
You might not expect Moore to deliver moments of comedy but there is something humorous in her disdain as she cooks a disgusting meal and watches Sue on television. Identity is an inescapable topic in this film and provides a snapshot into the lives of celebrities whose careers depend on it. Elisabeth’s inability to let go of the spotlight causes her demise because, in desperation, she takes a strange substance only available on the black market. It makes you think about what motivates people to undergo surgery to look young and whether the need for fame is like a drug itself.
Margaret Qualley brings a youthful fire
When you watch Margaret Qualley as Sue, you can see how she serves as the perfect counterpart to Moore’s Elisabeth. She is young, energetic, and embraces her sexuality. Sue is happy to soak up the admiration of producer Harvey (Dennis Quad) but to her detriment, she is also selfish, and at the expense of Elisabeth, abuses her position to get more out of life eventually threatening both of their existence.
Dennis Quaid as Harvey, the producer with the Cheshire Cat smile
Dennis Quaid does stellar work as Harvey, a man who is as artificial as they come in the media. He seems to thrive on the adrenaline rush he gets from creating television shows that get ratings, but he is also repulsive as a character, highlighted by his bad table manners and his self-centeredness.
You get the impression that he only sees actors as objects. To him, they’re not human beings with thoughts and feelings of their own. No, to him they are props to be thrown in front of a camera to make successful TV shows for him.
Creating an uneasy feeling with the lighting and colour schemes
Everything in this film seems vibrant in an almost nauseating way. The red walls of the television studio seem aggressive, and the late evening feel of sunny California feels menacing. It doesn’t make you feel settled, there is almost an expectation that something is going to go wrong.
The only comfort or sense of respite you feel from the colour schemes chosen in this film is when Elisabeth is sitting in her apartment at night, which is when you might expect things to normally kick off in a horror film. The special effects that are used in the film’s chaotic and messy ending, and it does get messy, may remind you of Cronenberg’s head explosion in Scanners.
Lessons from the film
The film teaches a lesson in identity and acceptance, particularly around the unrealistic beauty standards expected in today’s society. As a result, people undergo more plastic surgery than is required, looking less natural and less like who they used to be.
The real takeaway from this film is for us to find peace with who we are. There is no shame in ageing gracefully and by accepting it we can avoid unnecessary misery and personal suffering.
If you do get around to seeing this film, be prepared to be horrified. This is a body horror film with some very graphic details that could unsettle you. But also, be prepared to laugh and leave with a twisted smile on your face.
Liam Donohoe