At the center of this unsettling narrative stands Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a fading fitness icon and beauty influencer grappling with the entertainment industry’s merciless ageism. When her sleazy boss (Dennis Quaid) threatens to replace her with a fresher face, Elizabeth turns to a mysterious serum dubbed “The Substance.” This ectoplasm-like miracle cure promises not just youth, but perfection – at a horrifying cost.
The film takes a surreal turn when Elizabeth’s “younger self,” Sue (Margaret Qualley), manifests as a separate entity. This doppelganger quickly usurps Elizabeth’s empire, transforming it into a TikTok-era spectacle of youth worship. Their dynamic evolves into a masterclass in self-destruction, with Elizabeth repeatedly choosing the pursuit of perfection over her well-being while Sue eagerly steps into her shoes. Their twisted relationship serves as a mirror to the internalized misogyny and societal pressure that reduces women’s worth to their appearance.
Visual and Auditory Horror
Cinematographer Benjamin Kracun’s unflinching lens captures every excruciating detail of Elizabeth’s transformation. The sound design amplifies the horror with an orchestra of cracking bones, dripping fluids, and squelching flesh that lingers long after the credits roll. The film’s body horror sequences would make David Cronenberg proud, pushing the boundaries of physical transformation in cinema.
A Modern Take on Classic Horror
While “The Substance” shares DNA with “Death Becomes Her,” it ventures into darker territory, blending Stanley Kubrick’s surrealism with Cronenberg’s body horror. Unlike its campier predecessor, Fargeat’s film injects tragedy into its horror, creating a more visceral and cathartic experience. Demi Moore delivers a standout performance, navigating Elizabeth’s physical and emotional deterioration with both gravitas and dark humor. Meanwhile, Margaret Qualley perfectly embodies Sue’s vapid ambition.
The film doesn’t offer easy answers or preach self-acceptance. Instead, it holds up a funhouse mirror to our beauty-obsessed culture, reflecting the absurdity of our endless chase for external validation. While viewers might not abandon their skincare routines or stop covering their gray hairs after watching “The Substance,” they might think twice about that next miracle anti-aging product – and perhaps that’s exactly the point.