The Substance is a 2024 satirical body horror film about a fading celebrity (Demi Moore) frustrated with aging and losing her fame in a judgmental world. She tries an underground black market drug to regain her youth, embodied by a younger version of herself (Margaret Qualley). However, the drug causes bizarre side effects, leading to funny and creepy situations. As chaos ensues, she confronts harsh realities about vanity, identity, and the true cost of pursuing beauty in a superficial society.

This film truly took me by surprise. I distinctly recall encountering an advertisement for it on TikTok, which piqued my curiosity about its storyline. The ad seemed to invite viewers to explore the film on MUBI; however, I never gave it much thought at the time. The ad was very short and sleek, but the sound design was interesting, leaving me intrigued yet uncertain about its content. As I eventually decided to watch it, I found that it exceeded my expectations in numerous ways, unraveling a captivating narrative that kept me engaged from start to finish.

I’m certain many people have shared their thoughts and reviews on this film, and mine will be no exception. I particularly appreciate the overarching theme that often, our greatest critic is ourselves, a notion that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever faced self-doubt or scrutiny. This internal battle is portrayed beautifully throughout the film, adding depth to the narrative and allowing viewers to connect on a personal level. Additionally, it’s disheartening to observe how the film industry treats female actresses once they “age,” as this reflects a troubling societal trend that undermines the valuable contributions of women in cinema. Instead of celebrating their experience and skill, the industry often sidelines them in favor of younger talent, which not only perpetuates stereotypes but also deprives audiences of the rich performances that mature actresses can offer. Such realities provoke important conversations about ageism and the need for change within Hollywood.

Another thing I really appreciated in this film was the cinematography and symbolism throughout the film. I heard a lot of people relate this film to Requiem for a Dream. I thought the use of practical effects really enhanced the viewing experience, making a lot of the scenes look organic. Some repetitive motif that I noticed is the use of colors.

SPOILER: I’ve noticed that Elisabeth consistently wears primary colors, while Sue is adorned in secondary hues, which subtly signifies that Sue’s existence is intertwined with Elisabeth’s. In the film The Substance, the egg scene foreshadows themes of fragmentation, destruction, and replication. In the scene, a raw egg with a perfectly round yolk is injected with a vibrant green liquid, causing the yolk to quiver as a growth emerges. The yolk eventually divides, symbolizing the final stage of cell division. Additionally, Elisabeth frequently wears a yellow jacket, symbolizing her role as the yolk within the narrative.

There are so many things to talk about in this film but you would have to watch it yourself!