23 October 2024 by VictorSOS No CommentsCinema, Movies, News, Watchlist

THE SUBSTANCE: Between Trauma and Awe

This year, Coralie Fargeat bursts onto the scene with The Substance, a blend of celebrity culture and the toxicity of the male gaze, viewed through the lens of expertly crafted body horror and gore. A journey as brilliant as it is traumatizing

The film introduces us to Elizabeth Sparkle, played by the legendary Demi Moore, a Hollywood star whose show is brutally sidelined because she is no longer “young” and “beautiful” enough for the audience, and especially outdated in the eyes of the men behind all these shows. Elizabeth then decides to use the mysterious “Substance,” creating a younger version of herself, portrayed by Margaret Qualley. The Substance offers a sharp critique of the male gaze, depicted as a true plague, driving Demi Moore’s character to accept a total transformation of her body and face as an “improvement.” In reality, The Substance shatters self-esteem more than it is already broken. Elizabeth suffers from the treatment she endures, abandoned by the industry, which leads her to physically hate herself. The substance presents itself as a miraculous physical treatment, while Demi Moore’s character has not lost any of her charm or beauty.

The film rightly stands against the male figures pulling the strings of the industry. The scene in which Dennis Quaid‘s character presents Sue to the investors shows us that this industry is run by old men with unhealthy intentions, using women as toys to be discarded when they become too old for their liking. The Substance uses body horror to portray the descent into hell of a woman whose life is thrown away by the industry. In the end, the most destructive force is not the substance itself, but the industry. It’s worth noting that even the voice on the phone is that of a man—they are everywhere, and they are dangerous. Coralie Fargeat orchestrates every detail meticulously to craft a brilliant critique of the male gaze and patriarchy.

Demi Moore, in her role as Elizabeth, is phenomenal. She shifts from self-admiration to self-hatred. Throughout the film, we desperately wish for her character to love herself as much as we love her. You want to scream at her not to take the substance from the very first minute.

Coralie Fargeat makes us love the character of Elizabeth, beautifully portrayed by Moore, but she also makes us love Sue, embodied by Margaret Qualley, who is just as stunning as her alter ego. Qualley carries the film as much as her on-screen partner, strong, determined, sometimes sadistic. She masterfully handles a wide range of emotions, giving every reason to believe she will become a major figure in American cinema. The bond between these two women, which eventually fractures, generates two extraordinary performances that the audience won’t soon forget.

The entire film revolves around this character—or rather, this double character—occasionally pushing other characters to the background, but the intention to focus the narrative solely on Elizabeth/Sue is clear.

The strong word-of-mouth coming from the U.S. about this film primarily revolved around the gore-laden body horror it offers. And indeed, the critics weren’t lying, as Fargeat delivers brutal sequences that make us grimace repeatedly. The audience dares not look, some cover their eyes, teeth are clenched… We’re constantly waiting for a scene even more disturbing than the last. We both dread and eagerly anticipate these moments. The director masters the genre perfectly. All we ask for is another film as soon as possible.

The Substance is a remarkable film, as admirable as it is brutal, bringing a breath of fresh air to horror cinema through its significant critical theme, all carried by two wonderful actresses, elevated by Coralie Fargeat. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this gem.