Genre: Drama.

The price of beauty and its disturbing critique of vanity

‘The Substance‘ is a nauseating ride of a movie that takes body horror to new, grotesque heights while shining a harsh spotlight on society’s obsession with youth and beauty. Directed, written, and co-produced by Coralie Fargeat, this 2024 film delivers a sharp, audacious critique of our culture’s vanity in a way that’s both entertaining and utterly disturbing. With Demi Moore leading the cast, alongside Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid, the film sets itself up as a biting commentary with enough gore and body horror to leave a lasting impression on even the most seasoned moviegoer.

The Substance follows Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a fading celebrity who has been tossed aside in favor of younger, more marketable faces. Elisabeth, who once ruled the airwaves with her aerobics show, finds herself facing a bleak reality after being fired on her 50th birthday. The world of entertainment no longer has room for women her age. Enter “The Substance,” a mysterious black-market drug that promises to restore youth—temporarily, at least. But, of course, nothing comes without a cost, and the substance unleashes a whirlwind of chaos, regret, and some disturbing body horror.

Fargeat, who brought us the revenge thriller Revenge in 2017, knows how to wield tension and unease like a weapon. From the moment Elisabeth decides to inject the serum, the film barrels forward with unrelenting, grotesque energy. What initially seems like a solution to her problems—a way to reclaim her fame—quickly morphs into something far darker. When Elisabeth creates a younger version of herself, “Sue” (Margaret Qualley), the two are tied together in a way that’s both fascinating and horrifying. They must switch bodies every seven days, and the longer Elisabeth delays this switch, the more her body begins to deteriorate.

Qualley brings an alluring vitality to Sue, effortlessly capturing the wide-eyed, youthful charm that makes her the embodiment of the very thing Elisabeth craves. As Sue fame and glamour rises, Elisabeth’s envy begins to consume her, and the film dives deeper into its exploration of identity, beauty, and self-worth. The more Elisabeth tries to hold onto her youth by staying in Sue’s body, the faster she loses herself. The body horror elements escalate as the effects of the substance spiral out of control, with gruesome transformations and physical decay that push the boundaries of what’s visually tolerable.

Demi Moore, in one of her most fearless performances in years, is absolutely magnetic as Elisabeth. There’s a vulnerability beneath the layers of makeup and Botox that she portrays with such precision, making her character’s descent into madness both tragic and relatable. You can feel Elisabeth’s desperation as she clings to the fading remnants of her beauty and fame, willing to destroy everything—even herself—to stay in the spotlight. It’s a performance that feels deeply personal, especially considering Moore’s own history in Hollywood, making her portrayal of Elisabeth that much more emotional.

The film’s villain, Harvey, played with an almost cartoonish malevolence by Dennis Quaid, represents the very system that chews up and spits out women like Elisabeth. His decision to replace her with someone younger sets the entire plot in motion, and Quaid’s performance is a delightful mix of sleaze and over-the-top absurdity. While Harvey isn’t given much depth beyond being the face of the entertainment industry’s cruelty, Quaid seems to relish every moment, playing the character with a snide, condescending attitude that makes him easy to hate.

Visually, The Substance is a feast for the eyes—though it’s a feast served with a side of nausea. Fargeat and her cinematographer Benjamin Kracun craft a vivid world that contrasts the vibrant beauty of youth with the grotesque, decaying consequences of chasing it. It’s a feverish descent into a nightmare that’s impossible to look away from. And when the body horror kicks into full gear, it’s clear that Fargeat isn’t afraid to push her audience to the edge of their seats (and stomachs). The transformations are grotesque, the gore plentiful, and the practical effects are enough to make you squirm in your seat.

The Substance is a not-so-subtle critique of the entertainment industry’s obsession with youth, beauty, and the way women, in particular, are discarded as soon as they show any signs of aging. The film taps into the fear that so many people have—that once we’re no longer seen as desirable or beautiful, we lose our value. Elisabeth’s struggle with the fear of fading away feels especially relevant in today’s world, where aging is often seen as a failure.

In the end, The Substance is a twisted, body-horror masterpiece that blends gruesome visuals with sharp social critique. Fargeat delivers a film that’s as thought-provoking as it is horrifying, making us question our own relationship with beauty and the lengths we’re willing to go to maintain it. It’s not an easy watch—especially if you’re squeamish. And in a world obsessed with perfection, The Substance dares to ask: at what cost?