“The Substance”, directed by Coralie Fargeat, has emerged as a groundbreaking film in the horror genre; earning multiple award nominations such as the Golden Globes and Oscars and wining Golden Globes. While this film initially appeared to be just like any other generic horror film, after watching it, I found it held a much deeper meaning than I’d anticipated.
The film stars actress, Demi Moore as Elizebeth Sparkle, plays a fading television fitness instructor who is fired from her show due to her aging appearance that appeals less to her once enthralled audience. In desperation Sparkle receives a newly created rejuvenation injection that replicates her cells to temporarily create a young version of herself — Sue, played by Margeret Qualley, her younger yet much more ruthless counterpart.
The premise behind the film was original and I found it very surprising when Sue was initially characterized as selfish because I had initially thought she would be satisfied with her new-found fame; however, Sue’s choices were understandable. One of the major rules in “The Substance” is that Sparkle and Sue have to switch every seven days, but Sue becomes negligent as time goes on, resulting in a disaster — Sparkle appears to have aged several decades as a side-effect of not switching. It was at this point in the film that Sue’s human greed begins to show. Sparkle has a choice of terminating the program, yet she decides against it because she wants her other half to regain her previous fame.
Sparkle’s choice would lead to terrible outcomes in the future. These outcomes were foreshadowed by the creators of the substance who emphasized that Sparkle and Sue share one person, despite having different bodies and consciousness. They seemed to forget that they are actually one and began to envy and loathe one another. This serves as a reminder that beauty is fleeting and one should not go after the impossible. This theme appeals to both audience and critics who praised The Substance for its audacious plot line and visual impact. It also teaches the audience to have more confidence since many people feel insecure in their own body due to social media. The blend of navy blue, hot pink and bright yellow seen in clothings and backgrounds throughout the film is able to capture and retain the audience’s attention while emphasizing the high quality of the film.
Moore and Qualley’s performance were the key to the film’s success. Moore’s portrayal of Sparkle exaggerates Sparkle’s public image while delivering a nuanced performance. Similarly, Qualley plays a character who conforms to beauty norms while simultaneously representing vanity to the point that it leads to tragedy.
Further contributing to the success of the film is an element that stood out most to me which is the choice of music. The film’s music which included deeper beats and unique rhythms evoke a sense of discomfort for the audiance, further contributing to the tension of the film.
The film serves as a critique of society’s obsession with youthful appearance. Sparkle and Sue represent two opposing yet inherent sides where their relationship with one another drives the narrative forward. The filmmakers explore the psychological effects of beauty standards and what is considered to be beauty in our society as well as the deep-rooted fears and desires that come from beauty.
The movie’s message resonates with those who has been subjected to society’s physical standards. It gives confidence to the viewers by highlighting the lengths to which people will go to obtain fleeting ideals. Conversations about body image emerged in the wake of the film’s release where people praised its willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. The film also sets the path for other future films to tackle societal issues with similar boldness. “The Substance” is not only a film, but a sharp critique on beauty and societal standards. To close, I would give “The Substance” a 8.5/10 as its rating.
