The Substance
“Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? Younger, more beautiful, more perfect.“
On rewatch, Coralie Fargeat has made one of the most riveting original horror movies in recent years. The Substance easily stands out this year as a refreshing blend of satire, body horror, and comedy.
For a body horror movie produced by Mubi, I didn’t expect the makeup, production design, and sound to be at such a high level. It gives me hope that maybe it could sneak into some of the technical categories at the Oscars.
The writing is another aspect I really adore. The minimal dialogue and the “pumped up” use of physicality to tell the story are executed brilliantly. The entire concept of The Substance and how it explores themes like aging women in Hollywood and borrowing from the future to satisfy the present is fun and original. I also love how unapologetically unsubtle it is.
It’s impossible to talk about this movie without mentioning Demi Moore. I’ve never really seen her in anything before, but I’ve always known her name, and she’s absolutely astonishing in this role.
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