I have to admit I was reticent to see The Substance because everyone kept talking about how disgusting it was and how it is the ultimate ‘body horror’ film. While it is true that the movie is pretty gross it also has something to say and is endlessly debatable with friends, which is always fun.

In the film Demi Moore plays an aging actress named Elisabeth Sparkle who is portrayed kind of like a Suzanne Somers type who is being phased out of her popular exercise show by her beast of a boss named Harvey played by Dennis Quaid. In a moment of desperation she decides to try a mysterious product she gets sent called The Substance which promises to transform her into an “enhanced” version of herself.

This “beautiful” clone is the much younger Margaret Qualley (named Sue), and she is immediately successful in this exercise show and becomes a favorite of executives like Harvey. Unfortunately the more Elisabeth switches the more her original body begins to deteriorate and things begin to spiral out of control.

There are some places one could nitpick with The Substance. This exercise show Elisabeth and Sue are supposedly stars in makes no sense for 2024. Harvey keeps talking about network television as if this is the 1980s.  Also Elisabeth is conveniently isolated. You’d think she’d at least have an agent or manager checking in on her. And the New Years Eve special that becomes a focus of the final makes no sense but none of that matters because the overall conceit and what it’s saying about beauty works so well.

Moore is fearless in the role giving her whole body and soul into the performance and Qualley is believable as Sue. Director Coralie Fargeat also creates very chilling visual effects and sound design to make the transformations feel real and visceral.

Another aspect that really impressed me about The Substance is how careful Fargeat is in her screenplay to connect beauty with love and acceptance. Every time Elisabeth thinks of Sue she is reminded that people love Sue. In giving up Sue she not only gives up a superficially beautiful thing in her life but the adoration and love of people she cares about. I’m sure this is why they don’t show any family or friends with Elisabeth- to make the way she’s treated as Sue even more of a contrast. It’s very true that human beings often conflate physical beauty with virtue usually to disastrous consequences (how many charming dictators have come to power over the years…)

So yes, The Substance is disgusting and especially pushed my needle fearing tolerance to its limit but it also has a lot to say. In particular Fargeat challenges the viewer with questions about how we treat all women, not just celebrities, and how desperate we can be for love and acceptance. The beauty is almost secondary to the need to be cared for and noticed and that’s what Elisabeth seeks out most of all and makes, even at the end, taking the substance worth it.

Smile Worthy

Make sure you check out the patreon for perks, exclusive reviews and to be part of our monthly events and watch alongs. Find out more here.