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Hi! It’s so beautiful to hear you talk about this movie you obviously love so much. I’ve been meaning to rewatch EEAAO for about a year now and this just might give me the push! It’s such a great movie.. Keep doing what you’re doing!

I agree with a number of other commenters: 1) The company that supplies "The Substance" has engineered everything about the experience - from the mechanical-like voice on the phone, to the clinical, bare-bones information that the user has when they open the box. The door that slides open only two feet, isn't that way by accident. It's part of a screening procedure used by the company: HOW DESPERATE IS THE PERSON who wants the substance? Desperate enough to humiliate or 'lower' herself, to crawl through what appears to be a partially-jammed doorway? And then, to walk down an unlit, garbage-strewn corridor in a bad part of town? If the would-be client is stopped by the thought of, "You know what? There's too many red flags here. I'm out." -- then they don't want you as a client. Note that when she calls them for the first time, she DOESN'T ask for more information. She says only, "I'd like... to order." 2) The door that only opens part-way, is there to communicate TO US, who are watching the movie, how desperate Elisabeth is. If she's desperate enough to do THIS, what else is she prepared to do? We learn a lot about that: to inject an unknown material into her, with no assurance from anyone with any credibility; to eventually kill her other self - even though she needs that other self, to survive; What things did Elisabeth have to do, to become a star, before we meet her? Betray family or friends? (She doesn't seem to have any). Bribe people with money, sex or BJs? We don't even have to look to this fictional character; there are plenty of real-life biographies that tell us one horror story after another.

Great video! To me, It's one of the more subtle examples of the film's lack of subtlety. Consider the manufacturers of the substance. They have the technology to revolutionize medicine, agriculture, and who knows what else. Yet not only are they frighteningly powerful, they are completely untraceable. They could be working for any government yet they purposefully stay underground. Fargeat keeps stressing the shadiness of this organization, and the door is one of the smaller details that are more of the sum of their parts. Not only do they scout potential clients through already approved ones, and not only do they have as little human interactions with their clients, and not ONLY do they operate out of a lower income part of LA instead of some sleek laboratory at a college, but the door doesn't even open all the way.

Baddingham

Great observation! I never thought of why the door was that way. The fact that you found something about the door to speak on that can be related to the story, to me, is pretty significant. Even if there was no intention to it by the director.

Isnt this another sexploitation mobie disguised as something deep? The only depth was acted out by the cameraman in ogling the girls' backsides.😂

Love the long video😙 Your makeup looked so good 💕 and the halftime show was theee best halftime show I’ve seen

You tooo

Babygirl might beat it

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Interesting theory! I figured it was a security measure along with a nod to Being John Malkovich.

Will someone pls tell me if Elizabeth and Sue were supposed to share consciousness? I thought they obviously were not sharing consciousness but maybe am wrong? Thanks for the upload!!

There a lot of interesting theories here. My first thought was a reference to Through the Looking Glass, but I think there's probably multiple meanings.

I agree with the comments. The first time she has to go under the door you get a shot of her looking rich and posh, and it kinda looks like an obstacle to get under the door (and that she is above all this), which is why she taps the card to see if she can get it to open more. The following times, after she gets addicted to the substance, it no longer feels like an obstacle because she has already lowered herself metaphorically and with every passing week, it feels like a place she would enter based on her deteriorating looks

The door only going up halfway is to make people really commit. they're meeting you half way. The people behind The Substance aren't forcing anyone to do anything they don't want to do. The door only opening halfway forces the participants to commit to the other half. It's not made convenient for them or even that welcoming.

You gave a good and nuanced explanation of how you perceived Glinda’s character. I think that Glinda, like Elphaba, changed as the movie progressed. They both saw that their preconceptions were wrong. Elphaba chose to embrace her uniqueness and her power fully and confront the real wicked which was the false leader (the wizard and to a lesser extent, Morrible) and a social order that was being corrupted. Glinda chose to stay. Part 2 may show us whether she stayed to fight from inside or whether she plans to fully embrace the “wicked”.

Actress Clara Bow was the Original IT Girl , after Clara Bow came Cartoon Cutie & Hottie Betty Boop. 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

I think "villain" is too strong of a word. I think she's a bad person, but she likely grew up without having to think of anyone but herself. I saw the movie a second time, and when they are in the Emerald City, it looked to me like she was having an internal battle about being happy for Elphaba while still being a little jealous. And she didn't make a snap decision to leave with Elphaba and become a wanted fugitive from the government: that's reasonable if not right. Maybe she can make changes from inside the system. You saw her at the beginning of the movie: everyone worships her.

The experiment was setup for failure on anyone willing to try it. I think every single person that tried it eventually failed horribly. Pretty evil

I thought it showed how desperate she was.

I have yet to see this movie, but I'm reminded of how the vanquished are expected to "bend the knee," to subsume their own existence in service of their new master(s.) It is to debase one's self and swear fealty, obedience, to show reverence and/or deference to the other.

I thought it meant how much effort you had to put in to get it.

did you watch Trap?

Ton approche est tres interessante et je pense que tu as levée un lièvre: la porte ne s'ouvre pas complement pour forcer celui qui l'emprunte à se mettre à genoux, tout comme quand on prie un dieu, un genre d'humilité. C'est une façon de nous faire comprend que l'entreprise qui produit et fourni la Substance se croit à l'égal de dieu. Ce qui est cohérent avec ma théorie qui dit que dans tous films américains se cache un bon dieu bien pensant. Et l'allusion ne s'arrête pas là, car Elisabeth récupère son attirail médical dans un lieu immaculé de blanc où seuls deux être semblent concernés par l'expérience (Adam & Eve ?) Heureusement, le thème du film me parait plus basique en mettant en scène le souhait de beaucoup d'entre nous. Je ne dis pas nous tous, car Elisabeth est extremement vaniteuse et incroyablement seule. Selon les créateurs du produit la "substance", Sue est une version améliorée de Elisabeth. Mais pas du point de vue de la morale: Elle tue, elle est égoiste et finalement en dit bcp plus sur Elisabeth que sur Sue. Je tiens à souligner la fin grandiose et surtout l'ensemble du Sound Design qui je crois n'a jamais été aussi bon que sur ce film. Spécial dédicace aux sons des crevettes/actrices machées dans la bouche de Harvey (Weinstein ?) en début de film.

Daphne Blake is my favorite Scooby Doo character.

I agree with you! Two instances that gave me insight into who she is… there was one scene where she said ‘I didn’t get my way, I need to lay down’ and also how she set up Nessa and Boc (almost to do something in exchange for getting a favor from Elphaba)

I see the low door representing something like in a fancy Japanese restaurant or an Urasenke tea house where the point of the low door is to humble everyone entering: it does not matter if you're a king or a peasant you must bow to enter which humbles you. Taking that plus the context of the film I see it as shedding off all the exterior value we put on ourselves, like beauty giving our life purpose and justification. It showcases that we are not all that different or separate from each other but rather we are the same and all struggling to be human. Our real beauty is our struggle to find ourselves and how to love ourselves once we do (learning we are perfect and cannot be)

THIS - I thought this exact same thing as soon as the decay started 💀💀💯 you’re not crazy for thinking this.

People hate him because he's eating up their faves and taking all their roles, lol. Drew Starkey fans, Finn Whitrock fans, Jacob Elordi fans, Nicholas Chavez fans. Now that their faves didn't get the role, they suddenly "don't like reboots" and/or want an "undiscovered actor". I didn't see them complaining about reboots when the film was announced.

I posted a poll on the community tab if you want to vote 🗳️

I think the door is really interesting. One thing that stood out to me in this film was how she didn't pay for the substance and that other guy was keeping tabs on her. It's implied to me that she was being used as a test subject, and as the substance is unregulated and still in the testing phase, they would have to keep it secretive as they're pretty much doing inhumane experiments. I definitely think that the "real world" implication is as you said, they're trying to keep it secretive and make it harder for police to break in etc, to give them time to empty the lockers before they break in. It's not clear if they know the true side effects, that people turn into monsters if injected a second time. Another thing that stood out to me is how they gave her "extra" activator fluid, they gave her enough for 2 whole doses. It seems intentional, like they were hoping she would inject herself twice to see the consequences. She's even referred to as a number which makes her seem even more like a test subject. They leave a lot of stuff vague behind the company of the substance which is really intriguing, I definitely think they're performing human experiments and hoping people mess up so they can see the consequences.

Itțs lie a way of humiliation, you need to be under that bar of self respect to enter

I think the purpose of the door is to show "ADDICTION"! When you're an addict, youll lower yourself and your standards to get what you need. That's what I think the purpose of the door is

Does the original user continue to age? What happens if the original dies of old age?

In the book, Carrie's bullies see her as hideous, but as she starts to take better care of herself as she begins to come out of a years-long depression, people like Tommy Ross begin to notice that she's actually beautiful, and her classmates were simply being cruel towards her for having acne and being overweight, both of which are completely normal, especially for a teenager. I think Nicola Coughlan would make a great Carrie, but I'd also like to see a new, unknown actress play her too. I would like to see someone who doesn't look "Hollywood pretty" play her. I agree about Hunter Schafer, she's a slim supermodel, she doesn't fit the role at all. I feel like people only want to see her play Carrie because she vaguely resembles Sissy Spacek.

Didn’t realize older folks would have trouble entering. Good catch!

Only one catch is that Elisabeth in full on crone shape at the end of the second act went there to get the Termination syringe

Glinda is the embodiment of white feminism. She plays a pivotal role in the fascist regime being erected in Oz. She is self centered and manipulative to other people, using and maneuvering them to highlight herself. She does a creul hearted thing when she "gifts" the hat to Elphiba and then only felt remorseful when Elphiba got her into the class. Even during Popular she said "you'll still never be as popular as me" meaning even if she tries to help Elphiba she has no intentions of elevating her above Glinda's own station. All of her altruism is performative. In the end, even after seeing the cruelty of Madam Morabel and the wizard, and even after seeing the torture of the animals, she would rather have their approval than stand by her friend on the principal of justice knowing that the Ozian's literally threatened to kill her "look at her, she's wicked, KILL HER". These are the same issues black women have faced for centuries. We fight for everyone else's rights, we stand for all those who can't stand on their own, we fight for justice no matter the cause. We do all of the emotional, mental, physical, financial and spiritual labor of this country, our bodies birthed the slaves that built the economy, and nursed your babies too. Our bodies have been beaten and raped. Our skin has been called dirty, and ugly and disgusting. Our hair has been pet, cut, covered, burnt and called nappy, unruly, unprofessional, and unclean. Our speech is criticized for being ignorant, uneducated, and unprofessional despite having the highest rates of higher education degrees in the country. Every piece of art we create is called trashy until a white girl cosplays our culture and steals it for herself. And no matter how much we try to adhere to respectability politics and fit into this ridiculous hellscape of a society, we are never enough. UNTIL you find a new and fascinating way to use what little power, creativity, and strength we have left for your own benefit. But the SECOND we don't want to play your sick, fascist game, we are right back to being your ugly, nappy-headed, scapegoat... Don't think it's lost on me that the professor they silenced and kidnapped was a goat... And at the end of it all, after everything Elphiba did out of true goodness for Glinda, she just abandons her like everyone else. When the guards grab Glinda, Elphiba even tries to say "no don't hurt her she didn't do anything, I'm the one you want" and that shit pissed me off so much, because that's the whole point!!! She does NOTHING. EVER. She stands there and let's hate, bigotry, racism, genocide, torture, propaganda, and fascism win.... Why??? Because she doesn't want to give up her precious seat of comfort... Her precious white privilege. I bet you she wouldn't even post a green square on Instagram to show how much she "cares." Because all she really cares about is herself... While yes, the greater villain of the story is the Wizard... The betrayal of Glinda reminds me of every single closeted Trumper that came out in 2016, 2020, and now 2024... More heartbreak, more disappointment, more betrayal all in the name of white women who can't fucking seem to stop voting against their own interests. I can fight for white women, i can stand up for their rights, i can vote in their favor... Every single day. But the harsh truth is that if they ever have to sacrifice their seat of privilege to stand for my rights, they will throw me out like yesterday's dish towel the first chance they get. Because that's what they always do. I expect fhe government to fuck me over... I don't expect my friends to let it happen and watch as i continue to fight alone for both of us because they don't want to chip a nail... That kind of betrayal cuts deep. I have no sympathy for women like Glinda and I'm done fighting for them. And I'm especially done making excuses for them. They've been willing to watch the world burn me for years... So i won't stand in the way anymore when the flames they fanned finally reach their door step. Glinda is the worst kind of villain. The one who pretends she isn't and then just when you think you're safe they turn on you too. Even more though, she is the kind of villain we actually know... Every black woman knows a Glinda.

I feel like Gliinda isnt necessarily the villia voluntarily. But shes just consitioned to be a certain way. Shes not one to just test the limits. Her self centered natrure is the villian

Im sorry she was a mean girl at heart. She would loath alphy for defying her and having the spot ahe wanted, she have the hat to alphy and purposefully pushed her to wear it knowing how ppl would react, only felt bad when she found out alphy did something foe her, slef centered yes but she was a good freind, she gave mo fs about the animals getting took, in the city she encouraged alphy to just go along at the detrement of the amimals, then she was on her side, then the ballon failed so she didnt ho wirh alphy ans told her their still freinds, and as alphy flies away she takes the embrace of th3 villians and swirches up again...like she might not know it but shes a mean girl. Nobody comes before her.

Hmm these are good points, I think you're right... It is all she knows.

I think Galinda is her own villain rather than THE villain of Part 1. She could never overcome her desire to achieve her goals and please those around her. She struggled to the point where she betrayed Elphaba - the first person she cared about as much as herself. She did nothing to defend Elphaba just like Nessa Rose. You could see her internal struggle when she bundled Elphaba in the cloak instead of joining her and when she finally received Madam Morabel’s approval. She wanted to support Elphaba and knew she was right, but she gave into the temptation of accepting the position as the good witch for the wizard to serve her self interests and perpetuate his propaganda.

For me it was like a test. How badly do you want the substance? What are you willing to do to get it?

I agree with you that Glinda isn't a villain for not going with Elphaba. Of course she didn't want to leave her life behind. Glinda has a good life (status, popularity...) and she didn't have any real magic, so why should she leave her comfortable life? especially since she didn't really believe in Elphaba's cause. Elphaba was an outcast her whole life, Glinda had (and still has) a great life!

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle

I saw it as she was eventually gonna be hunched over. But not to that extent lol

She came across as an overly, sickly sweet type of person. Who believes she is doing good to others but really not.

I think you're gorgeous 😅 Really nice vibes in the vid. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Very interesting content.