September
23
Tags
The Substance (18)
The Substance (18)
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Runtime: 141 Minutes
Cast: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid
Synopsis: Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?
You. Only better in every way. You should try this new product -The Substance.
IT CHANGED MY LIFE.
URL: https://youtu.be/LNlrGhBpYjc?si=_FL36-gdVBM4d9FE
Beautifully grotesque, dementedly entertaining and ruthlessly satirical, director/writer Coralie Fargeat’s Cannes sensation turns toxic beauty culture inside out.
Demi Moore gives a career-best performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, a former A-lister past her ratings prime suddenly fired from her fitness TV show by repugnant studio head Harvey (Dennis Quaid). Then she is attracted by the opportunity presented by a mysterious new drug: THE SUBSTANCE. All it takes is one injection and she is reborn – temporarily – as the gorgeous, twenty-something Sue (Margaret Qualley). The only rule? Time needs to be split: exactly one week in one body, then one week in the other. No exceptions. A perfect balance. What could go wrong?
A be-careful-what-you-wish-for fable for the ages. Explosive, provocative and twisted, THE SUBSTANCE marks the arrival of a thrilling and wild addition to the modern horror genre with a cautionary tale about the toxicity of fame, unattainable beauty standards and toxic masculinity– all too relevant theme in today’s ‘tweakment’– obsessed society.
A thrillingly visionary filmmaker, Coralie Fargeat a director and writer, known for Revenge (2017) and Reality+ (2014) was the winner of Best Screenplay at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The Substance is a body-shocker which despite Grand Guignol episodes seems timely in exploring what women have to do to remain relevant in today’s society.
it’s no wonder Demi Moore captures this character brilliantly, at one time one of the world’s best-paid actors for Ghost (1990), Indecent Proposal (1993) Disclosure (1994), it’s been a while since a leading big screen role. As Elisabeth Sparkle
she becomes more and more obsessed with becoming a ‘more beautiful, more perfect’ version of herself to remain on top.
Coralie Fargeat pays homage to many classics of the genre. The film references
The Shining, Carrie, The Thing, with the viscosity of some films by David Cronenberg
and a nod to The Portrait of Dorian Gray
Wickedly funny, gruesome and clever the film received a 10-minute standing ovation at Cannes.
There is a whole lot of fun – from the spandex-clad Margaret Qualley gyrating to the track Pump It Up to the over the top absolute gorefest of the finale.
The Substance has many fantastical elements (like Titane), and much dark humour develops from the behaviour of not just the two main leads but the LA world which they inhabit. Dennis Quaid convinces as a slimy producer aptly named Harvey.
Fame and the ‘male gaze’ constantly enforced by exaggerated billboards and posters which declare loudly how fame works in this industry. Unsubtle and not for the squeamish The Substance is set to be a classic Body Horror/Black Comedy/Satire
Images courtesy of: MUBI
