The Substance | A Bold Bubblegum Film

“The Substance” (2024) is a bold, audacious, and unapologetically direct film that ditches the subtlety often used by other filmmakers to explore themes of beauty, identity, and modern femininity. Directed by Coralie Fargeat, this movie creates a bubblegum-colored horror show where nothing is left to interpret. It is a visceral experience that challenges both aesthetic and societal standards head-on, unapologetically confronting the hellish pressures of modern beauty.

The film centers on Elisabeth Sparkle (played by Demi Moore) and her bizarre transformation journey after encountering a mysterious treatment known as "The Substance." This procedure promises her youthful perfection but comes with a twisted catch—her identity is split between her old self and a "better" version, played by Margaret Qualley. As these two personalities alternate every seven days, the story dives into a battle of self-image, jealousy, and body horror, presenting a chilling satire on the obsession with youth and beauty. This gruesome arrangement sets the stage for a grotesque commentary on societal expectations surrounding aging and the female body.

What makes The Substance a true standout is its ability to balance horror and humor. Its horror elements—ranging from body horror to gruesome, bloody scenes—are reminiscent of Cronenberg’s best work. The film’s grotesque elements, such as the disturbingly graphic sequences of transformation, are complemented by moments of biting satire. The extreme visuals, like close-ups of characters' grotesque eating habits or the chaotic splattering of blood, make for a cinematic experience that is both shocking and darkly comedic.

In a cinematic landscape where many directors shy away from overt storytelling, opting for nuance and subtext, Fargeat delivers her message with sledgehammer precision. The movie’s straightforwardness might seem excessive to some, but it adds a certain clarity and immediacy that is often missing in films that address beauty standards. There is no beating around the bush: women are tortured by societal pressures to look a certain way, and The Substance forces viewers to confront this reality through a surreal yet scathingly honest lens.

The visual palette of the film is also worth noting. Bathed in bubblegum pinks and bright pastels, the color scheme contrasts sharply with the darker themes, almost giving the movie a nightmarish candy-coated aesthetic. It visually reinforces the artificial sweetness of beauty culture, masking the underlying horrors of bodily manipulation. Every frame feels meticulously crafted, from the grotesque beauty treatments to the hyper-stylized shots of Elisabeth and Sue, creating a film that is as visually arresting as it is thematically provocative.

For all its boldness, the film isn’t for everyone. Some critics argue that its lack of subtlety and over-the-top violence might alienate viewers looking for deeper psychological insight. The satirical elements, while biting, can sometimes feel surface-level. However, this bluntness is exactly what makes The Substance stand out from other films tackling similar themes. It refuses to dilute its message or hide behind metaphor. Fargeat embraces the grotesque and the absurd to craft a movie that is both a sharp feminist critique and a sickly entertaining horror film.

The Substance is a blood-soaked, hyper-stylized epic that revels in its campiness while delivering a scathing indictment of the pressures women face. It is an instant classic for lovers of body horror and dark satire. For those willing to embrace its over-the-top narrative and embrace its bold critique, this film is a uniquely thrilling ride.