The amount of references and inspiration drawn in this film.. The Thing, Carrie, The Fly, Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Repulsion, The Shining and tons more, All at once. WOW
I'm glad you noted the fairy tale aspect of the film. I definitely noticed the influence and parallels of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Portrait of Dorian Grey and Snow White from first viewing.
Yeah at first I was thrown off by how Elisabeth looked after the misuse, but then I realized the film was going for a heightened, fairy tale version of everything and then the entire third act clicked for me.
And I love how in the beginning with Dennis Quaid and shrimps, a metaphor of flesh inside a disposable shell dipped in with a "substance" of a dressing. Also with the robe that Sue wears and the dragon decoration that, to me can be interpreted as the Wicked Dragon that the main character needs to conquer, like the old classic fairytales.
This and Strange Darling are the surprise 10/10’s for the year for me. There was only 2 other people in my theater, and they walked out at the final scene. Wish i saw it with a packed theater to hear reactions. Insane movie. Beautiful. Incredible sound. Amazing performances. What an experience.
A lot of people were laughing. Me and the dude were like squirning at our scene at the last scene. but i couldn't look away. Probably not the best movie to eat popcorn.
Who else thought there were several visual references to Stanley Kubric's "The Shining"? The red stalls in the bathroom, the long, mazelike hallways and the blood running down the walls?
100%!! The Shining, Showgirls and also weirdly Requiem for a Dream. Also saw a lot of Gaspar Noé and David Lynch. The film had so many visual and cinematic references. It will take me days to get it out of my mind. It was honestly like experiencing cinema for the first time. Incredible!
Also when she is transforming for the first time. Those lights at the end look like traveling through space in 2001 A Space Odyssey, and of course the music when the monster walks on the stage.
I get the sense that the climax of the movie (metaphorically) has a lot to do with plastic surgery being used as a desperate final attempt at keeping one's youth and it delves into the public's shocked reaction at what a person has decided to do to themselves in order to remain in the spotlight and how the public occasionally views those people....and then they are discarded anyway. Ultimately, it's futile to want to escape yourself and getting older. It happens to everyone and there are no exceptions.
The director chose to use an actress who has had plastic surgery IRL. What would it look like if the actress was a healthy 62, no plastic surgery, still beautiful. I'm assuming she wanted to play with us a bit.
I found this movie exhilarating from beginning to end, it was so unique, and the final act had me laughing harder than I have in the theater in some time.
I've been randomly thinking of the movie the last few days after seeing it, grinning or shaking my head at how completely off the rails The Substance is. It is rare to be blown away like that.
Saw it last night and I can't get it out of my head. I was completely drawn in and lost track of everything else. Fucking masterpiece in cinema. Everyone involved with making this film should be proud of themselves. It is that good.
You clearly've never been into troubling addiction, i actually find last scene insanely heart breaking, if you're getting its symbolism and it resonates with you
So many references from cinema, pop culture, literature like others have commented. I just want to say that watching this film and being this excited by watching a film was unique experience that I never felt before. And by the way, I am a cinephile, a filmmaker and have studied filmmaking. I have watched a ton of cinema and at 30 years old, I have never felt like that while watching a film.
It's kind of ironic, but the most poignant scene to me is when the "final iteration" is shown primping in front of a mirror and a music cue from "Vertigo" is played. As darkly humorous as it might be, it was as if everything I needed to know about the character and the central thesis of Fargeat's movie was encapsulated in that brief allusion to the Hitchcock classic.
Yes, that was a rather clever, and surprisingly subtle reference, especially when you consider the many themes in Vertigo, specifically the objectification and idealisation of women.
@@Starkardur 1. It’s entirely in English 2. It’s set in LA and was filmed in France 3. The production companies are British and from the USA 4. Where and how is this French?
Saw the 7pm showing tonight. Went in not seeing the trailer only hearing non spoiler reviews and holy hell This movie was bat shit crazy lol Movie of the year for me 🖤
You are a brilliant reviewer and this is a really interesting and contemplative review offering some other insights that I haven't heard in the clutch of reviews I've listened too. I completely agree with all of it too, especially the part about how it isn't "anti-men" (I never felt that way for a second). I was absolutely floored by this movie and not just because of THAT insane ending - I completely felt the raw human emotions throughout, even throughout some of the crazier scenes. One such moment was when you see Demi Moore's character in that hideous old hag body suit. Just a total marvel of both prosthetics and her acting, not to mention the entire context of what we've seen leading up to and including that moment.
best film in years! Absolutely brilliantly unhinged. Superb soundtrack, set design, performances, colour palette. A movie for the Love Island generation. Gaspar Noé couldnt have done a better job!
The film reminded me of Robert Altman's 3 Women. The interdependence of the Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley characters parallels the synergy portrayed by Shelley Duvall and Sissy Spacek in 3 Women. While the films are different, one could argue the relationship between the women in each of these two films embody similar feminine themes. I also see similar reference to Bergman's Persona.
Lmfao this dumpster fire reminded you of two one of a kind cinema classics? I am officially in the Twilight Zone. This movie was redundant and cliche to the point of being laughable. Bergman would burn the cinema down if he went to see this one.
Demi Moore better at least be nominated for an Oscar for her performance. This was a very difficult movie and demanded a lot of both Demi and Margaret Qualley so they deserve recognition
They both did amazing! My vote goes to James McAvoy for his role in Speak No Evil. Demi is a VERY close second, imo, but idk really I think maybe it's just bc I like McAvoy better n he did such a great job also
Well she wore prosthetic breasts and her body was objectified to infinity. I think playing that role is bound to make you think about your body and looks
Film was amazing. I went to a concert friday where I was the only millennial amongst an enormous crowd of gen z. It was a whole new experience from when I was young. I felt stifled in the way I interacted with them because they were all 10 years younger than me. This film helped me partially reconcile that awkward feeling of aging and becoming "too old". I think youre right the film will take on new meaning when I watch it in 10 years
Thanks for the great review! I’m not really a body horror fan but loved this movie. I appreciate your comments on how this movie portrays what’s really an existential crisis for the character.
Fantastic review and psychological analytic of the the internal demands felt by women to attempt to stay relevant in the superficial realm of beauty standards set forth by society. The amount of plastic surgery, magic bullet health and beauty product mass consumption make this desperation by men and women to remain perpetually young on the exterior speaks volumes on this subject. It is by far better to remain conscientious and balanced with your life choices than to chase something that is impossible. Grow old gracefully, and realize that who you are in terms of character and integrity, is far more beautiful and transcendent than any exterior body.
100% no matter how hard we try, our bodies are organic, unpredictable and will inevitably fail us. It’s important to be content with this and just allow nature to prevail.
@@beestingza to be fair she dislikes / is luke-warm on most new releases - but there’s nothing wrong with that. She holds film to a high standard and I respect that, because when she gives a positive review you know you’re in for something quality. Critics who constantly dole out glowing reviews lose a bit of credibility for me
The ending i took it as what happens and how people react to you when you do too much plastic surgery this film is a body horror masterpiece the script was unlike anything I've seen before a lot of layers to it i haven't seen a film where it has left me with my jaw on the floor it was very refreshing
Best review I've seen. Especially the 3rd act. Totally agree. I loved the makeup fx, but felt some of it would have benefitted with being less brightly lit. The monstro creature in the bathroom was lit too harshly for my liking. I'm also a makeup fx artist and prefer more subdued lighting in fx scenes like that. Still enjoyed it immensely though
I thought this film was absurdly on the nose. It seemed to be some kind of critical film about beauty standards, while using "ugliness" as a way to captivate the audience. The film struck me as faux-subversive and consistently pornographic throughout. Not a fan.
not to be dramatic but I truly believe accepting/embracing this film as it is and aiming to not want a less disgusting cut could literally cure someone’s body dysmorphia, I just saw it yesterday and I’m not even into body horror but I think it literally cured mine for good, but maybe my issues aren’t as deep as someone who’d get plastic surgery or go to extreme lengths to tweak their look/physicality, also super resonant if you’ve been called both beautiful and ugly in this life in absolute awe of Fargeat, the crew and technical aspects and practical effects, and Moore and Qualley, incredible film I could talk about for days, heading back to the spoilers discussion Reddit now wonder how Liotta would’ve played the Quaid character differently if at all
I saw Fargeat's movie Revenge a few years ago and found it somewhat unsettling and very engaging at the same time. Looking forward to seeing The Substance.
Going with a group of 7 on Monday - 3 guys, 4 gals - with probably lots to talk about afterward. Thanks for reviewing my most anticipated film of the year.
I went alone and I found myself having a deep convo with 2 senior ladies directly after the movie. Turns out there’s a lot of similarities between Demi’s character and her real life Hollywood story
It's very rare that I take note of the sound design and how good it is. There a lot of films that try to mimic certain shots and ape a certain horror / grimey vibe but this is one of the very few films where it actually works and fits. I found parallels with women who get addicted to plastic surgery and fillers, drug addiction... and even motherhood.
I literally just finished watching this film, and I was blown away by the makeup and practical effects. Everything about this film made me feel happy to be an old horror fan.
its amazing. it felt like it was made for me, as i love Raw, Requiem for a Dream, Sick of Myself, The Fly etc. I was thinking about you after seeing, because i figured youd like it a lot, but maybe feel the characters were slightly under developed, or that it wasnt subtle at all, but i still give this 5/5 because the hyper-stylistic world forgives anything that some may see as a flaw. i also couldnt believe how far demi moore goes in this movie.
I Had Not Been to a Theater since 2009, and My Wife’s Girlfriend had seen this Film a couple of days ago. AND SAID IT WAS A WILD RIDE! I’m a Big Fan of Body Horror! Then reading some of these Comments I said , this is for Me! And we went to see it! Great camera Work, Great Acting, Brilliant Editing, it was completely OVER THE TOP!! Was way more than I EXPECTED!! Iv seen A lot of Body Horror Films dating back to the70s! And this one Took it to A WHOLE NEW LEVEL! GO SEE IT! Now! And Be Sure To Fasten YOUR SEATBELT!
A very intelligent and insightful review. Very engaging from beginning to end. I related I related to the problems that you have with the movie as well but not until after you brought them to my attention
Great review. Three reasons in the right order, why I not just loved the ending, but found it necessary: 1. Content: This movie is form over substance (höhö) all the way. Dialogues are pretty much irrelevant. The picture tells the story. 2. Contrast: The whole movie was a full contrast, whether maximal stress/pain - or beauty as a godly superpower. As balance to these pornlike super long closeups I felt the need to see a radical payoff as balance. 3. Culture: Is this kind of body horror actually horror, when it’s just self-caused deformation? Wasn’t the pain she felt in the toilet in the beginning alike? Is looking like a “monster” actually a problem?
I found that I lost the movie when she suddenly is able to get the job without no questions of her identity and the fact she has a body lying around in her bathroom until she becomes a highly skilled builder and hides the body in a secret room .
In regards to this movie not making the 'men bad' mistake, it helps that the French are generally less puritanical and politically corrective then their anglosphere counterparts. Interested in seeing this. Nice review as usual.
@@nalday2534 Imagine the funniest day EVER being some random TH-cam screenname ending up alone. Inability to think coherently is one of the earliest symptom of the woke mind virus digesting the frontal lobe.
Yeah the Hollywood take would be a one-note polemic against men as if saying that women who got ahead on their looks and youth deserve eternal reverence until they die.
Been waiting for this review, glad you got to it early. This movie was great exploration of that grit and gloss dichotomy as you so aptly put. My jaw was on the floor so often at how beautiful and ugly this movie was.
I absolutely LOVE this movie! Rarely do you get to see a film that has so many different aspects and emotions in it. This was masterfull film making and everyone involved in this movie should be proud of themselves. To me it is almost a perfect movie. I don't know much about the film maker but from now on I will keep an eye on what she does in the industry. Very interesting director
Saw this today... This film is bonkers! Kind of reminds me of The Fly... It's a powerful film about beauty standards and self-obsession with bizarre humour thrown into the mix, and you get this. This was one hell of a ride. Dune Part Two and The Substance got to be two of my favourite films of this year so far. No movie this year made me feel good about cinema like these two. They brought back what Cinema lacked in quite some time, I would say this... The Substance is not as re-watchable as Dune 2 just because to me like "The Fly" it just... disturbed the heck out of me and left me feeling sad by the end, I just hate seeing characters destroy themselves like this. An easy 9/10, a possible Masterpiece. I just need to sit with it for few more hours before I can fully decide where I stand with this movie. But yes... it's worth watching!
Spot on! I loved this film. I saw it recently at a festival alongside some other interesting films that explore characters in search of a 'better' version of themselves: A DIFFERENT MAN and EMILIA PEREZ. Both highly recommended.
I actually laughed toward the end of this movie!!! I find it interesting at the start but then it was just ridiculous in a way.... I wish it was better. I give it 5/10... This is Comedy/Horror to me.
Maggie, I'm interested in watching this film with my 16-year-old daughter, as it seems to focus on topics like body dysmorphia and the male gaze. I hope it works for her--she loves the original Carrie, by the way.
Isn't 16 a little bit young for this film? But kudos for saying you'd watch it with her. That's awesome parenting; talking about extreme material that actually has something to say, putting the world in context. It's the ideal. If your daughter is interested in the male - and therefore female - gaze, has she, or you both, seen Portrait Of A Lady On Fire? It's an astonishingly beautiful and meticulously crafted exploration of the gaze, as well as (this'll sound very pretentious, but it'll make sense - in one scene literally visually - in the film) the potential horizontality, as opposed to hierarchy, of social bonds. Especially female. But yeah, the first moment of the film is a blank white screen - that's swiftly revealed to be a painter's canvas. It's a film literally framing itself and its subjects/themes. Arguably the best scene in the film sublimely demonstrates the relationship between viewer and viewed, and the nuances of potential power dynamics. It's also about the meaning we can ascribe to art as we live our lives. And it's just potently, thrillingly romantic - but never in a typical generic manner. Gorgeous to look at, deeply intelligent and multi-layered, and with phenomenal direction and performances. I adore Céline Sciamma when she's firing on all cylinders. If your daughter prefers body horror, then yeah, there's none of that. ; -) But I thought I'd proselytise a masterpiece that does explore the potential of the female gaze in opposition to the typical male.
I have a 17yo and would have taken her to this if could handle the body horror. It’s pretty gross. The social commentary is very well done, though. Can’t wait to see it again!
@@SabiJD'proselytise a masterpiece' = you aped the vocabulary & cadence of mainstream corporate film criticism to repeat..what every single corporate film critic said about that film too young for 'body horror' but the perfect age to be indoctrinated by a paean to homosexuality & abortion right right
@@helvete_ingres4717 I love how any movie with a subject you don't like is suddenly indoctrinating its audience. Geez on that logic how could anyone want someone to watch The Substance then, right?
For me this film had a whole lot of style style and it was very entertaining, but the satirical content was so blantant and constant, as well as so banal and unsubversive, that the film ended up being kind of stupid despite all it’s visual and sonic flair. It looked like a mash-up of Kubric, Cronenberg and Aronofsky but the themes and cultural critique were so on the nose and in your face that once the movie was over it didn’t linger like any of those directors’ works do (and I say that as someone who is no great fan of Aronofsky).
I couldn't believe that Dennis Quaid's character was presented seriously, it felt like a parody of a parody of how a sexist/chauvinist producer type person would be portrayed
@@Wodro That's what I think too - a parody of a parody is very accurate to say. And not only about Dennis Quaid character, but basically everything else. In my view, this film looks shallow by design. The references to "serious" movies, just like a thousand other cultural references that form the shiny "substance" of the film's "reality" (both puns intended), seem to be only copies of copies of copies. Well... I may not be on to anything really insightful, but that surely imitates a fancy sentence :)))
@@aallerton Haha no I got you, and I 100% agree. This is just the latest trendy style over substance (pun definitely intended :p) outing for people to virtue signal against
Couldn't agree more. Not to say it was bad, or not impactful in its unabashed nature, but I just didn't feel like I came out of it learning more or feeling different about the subject matters. Very on the nose, very typical.
This sounds like an interesting movie that I could never watch.... too empathetic and squeamish. The "explosive climax, pun intended" comment cinched it. Yesterday I got a couple of texts : "i saw it last night and saw probably a quarter of it covering me eyes" and " I wish they would release a “mercy censoring” version for people like me with weak stomachs." When I was young I realized that I empathized with the pain or embarrassment of others, even those on screen, much more than most people. Heck, when I first saw "Raiders of the Lost Ark" I left the theater with a sore neck from reflexively jerking my head when Indy got hit in the face. Although it is probably blasphemy on a film analysis site like this one, I admit to missing the days of "edited for television" versions of graphic movies.
I thought about skipping this one for the very reasons you mentioned. I had to shut my eyes in parts and really felt pain for a character (not giving away whom). And I almost felt like I had seen enough and wanted to leave BUT I am glad I stayed. I took the whole thing up to the third act too seriously. The payoff in the end was worth the struggle. I say see it with the knowledge that it’s satire and an homage to the amazing special effects artists of the 80s from movies like The Thing and The Fly
Hi Maggie. I, too, feel torn. I do think it's an audacious piece of filmmaking and brilliantly made with a refreshing singularity but, as you say, the internal v. external theme was somewhat abandoned for the more crowdpleasing absurdist comedy bodyhorror ending, which, though it is a critique of the grotesquerie of consumerism itself, celebrity-worship and appetite for facile entertainment, it diminishes the intelligence that was hinted at earlier.
Omg dude… I had no idea what I was getting myself into. At the end my knuckles were clenched, I was laughing, looking away, and silently crying underneath it all.
The message is clear - just watched the movie - just accept yourself - it implies to man as well - rather than societal framework of perfect Men and Women !! The horrific scenes are a treat to anyone who relishes such raw moments !!
For quite a mainstream film it was a joy to see the practical Brian Yuzna/Stuart Gordon-esque effects in the final third, and the very end definitely nods to Society, which seems appropriate in relation to the themes of the film.
I just watched this film, and it evoked a lot of thoughts, which is rare for modern day Hollywood movies now. Being in the industry myself, I saw the producer who screwed her over, and many of the other pandering characters, as accurately representing people I have encountered in the industry. There is a lot of awful people in the entertainment industry who use the "talent" to push their own agendas. And dump them the minute the benefits stop. The female aging themes were well done, as were the themes of how we would all love to be young again, and many people's overwhelming desire, to be "adored" and "famous". But I also got a sense of old people's resentment of young people's youth and young people's resentment of old people not wanting to let their turn end, so the next generation can have a turn. This is becoming a very big problem in our society as the Boomer generation tries to cling on to ... well, everything. So, it really struck home with me. The film also made me think of how many people in Hollywood sense that it is dying, and yearn for the golden years, so I appreciated that too because I have had a lot of conversations around that, and it's becoming increasingly common. Which is normal as each generation grows old. We all see the past with rose tinted glasses. But what struck me the most, was the hints of everyday reality in the entertainment industry, and society in general, where everybody praises you until it turns you into a monster of conceits creation - then they quickly turn on that monster when it becomes hideous or old, or both. I thought that was interesting. Overall, really enjoyed the film, and your review of it.
The cinematography was excellent. It was a movie for our time, an anti-Hollywood movie pretending to be several other things. It actually calls back to a lot of Hollywood's earliest days - Browning, Lon Chaney, Sunset Boulevard's chew you up and spit you out message as well as its exploration of the desire for fame and its price and what you do when the pictures get smaller. The fact that so many inter-textual references and callbacks are evident is proof that this is a lens that needed put back onto the way Hollywood operates and how it has never really changed. Quite daring. Not hackneyed use of misogyny or misandry but thoughtful exploration of those ideas without laying the blame squarely on one aspect over another. It lets the audience decide and that is its great strength.
Fans of Ryan Fuller and Brad Falchuk's work will love this. The substance as a product is quite incredible. If Sue and Elizabeth worked together as a team, they really could have built a ridiculously successful life for themselves. I hope there's a sequel, because there's so much of this idea left unexplored.
I love this movie so much. Just wanted to see what you thought. I had a feeling you would love this too. I love so much how this movie appreciates the Female Form. I feel like that has been lost in many movies... Women are objectively beautiful. How we forget them as they age is the theme of the movie. That is hard for alot of Women I bet. You turn 40 and all of the sudden your less than in some cases just because of your age. Demi Moore reminds us that there is still Sex post 60. And it can look damn good. Love this movie just for its ode to sexiness. But also there is so much more to unpack. I love the 305 locker and having this company pick up the phone to take complaints and offer solutions. Yes the climax was so cool, I need to watch it 10 more times to figure out what was real, and what was dream. Thank you DeepfocusLens.
Even youth doesn't render a minority of women attractive so not all women suffer evenly through aging or more specifically losing their erotic capital. Some women even seem to flourish in mid-life and beyond. Perhaps they didn't take their youthful attractiveness so to heart?
@@nighttrain1236 I read that as well. You see the nurse or RN in the beginning of the movie. He seems to be handling the program with more comfort and peace. Is this due to his intelligence? Or was he as a person just less vain and compulsive and jealous and greedy? Elizabeth Sparkles would have done some vile things to achieve her goals it seems. And her Split version encapsulates all her worst qualities. Elizabeth even tried to sabotage HERSELF. And only saves Sue because she cannot let go of her fame. What a movie. I just love this movie.
Someone's food came up in my screening. I didn't expect it to be such a hardcore horror movie (no trailer rule). Also, it didn't even seem like Demi was acting, amazing performance.
Yesterday I had the chance to watch “The Substance,” a film that promised to keep me on the edge of my seat, and to a large extent, it delivered on that promise. The psychological plot is intriguing and draws you in from the first moment, maintaining constant suspense for 85% of the running time. Demi Moore delivers a solid performance, taking the viewer through a labyrinth of emotions and unexpected twists. However, despite its strong beginning and development, the ending of the film left me with a bittersweet taste. The grotesquely comical conclusion felt out of place in a psychological thriller that had built such a tense and serious atmosphere. This abrupt change in tone not only puzzled me, but also took away the impact of what could have been a masterpiece of the genre. In short, “The Substance” is a film that almost achieves greatness. If it weren’t for its jarring ending, I would have easily placed it among the top three films of the year. Still, it's a worthwhile cinematic experience, especially for those who enjoy a good psychological thriller, albeit with a warning about its unexpected ending.
@@21stcenturyhiphop exactly.. I mean, big stars doesnt show whole naked in a comedy or satire ... the get naked when the screenplay seems to be seriously commited with a great ending.
I really liked this movie but thought it would have benefited from the beginning being much more subdued so the last half of the film would have had more of an impact due to contrast
The Kubrick references were excellently utilized without being too much... The red Shining bathroom and carpeted hallways, the cartoony Clockwork Orange close-ups and disgusting characters, the "stargate" sequence and Thus Spoke Zarathustra... They did a great job of being part of the story and themes without leaning too heavily on the references Family Guy style.
Just saw the substance after watching your review. It is spellbinding, one of the greatest body horror films ever made. The Lynch influence is obvious with the stilted, over the top acting and some surrealism. The ending is just bizarre and gonzo I was left shocked how far they were willing to push. Could have been a little shorter but for sure one of the best movies of the year
Mind-blowing. I had to avert my gaze a lot, and a few in the audience were driven away. Best horror film of the year so far IMO, while being funny as Hell. Over the top for sure. Lots to talk about...
Sorry, spoilers: In reference to the third act, I actually enjoyed it a lot outside of the upfront campy aspects of it. What I interpreted from it was that when Sue injected the substance and when it became the “monster”, that was really the original host’s (Elizabeth’s) worst nightmare. We get to see a bit of how Elizabeth got her flowers with everyone giving her praise but then everyone turns on her and calls her hideous and a monster. She even tries to say, “it’s still me!”. I feel like the Carrie-esque scene was Elizabeth’s final fuck you to everyone and the industry that she never really got to give. I liked the small touches of the torn dress and the only things hanging out of the tears are boobs, like she’s saying “here, this is what you want to see right?” Great review! Just wanted to share my thoughts :)
The fact that this is a French film depicting Los Angeles, there's a detached aspect and it brings something bigger home than it could if Hollywood tried to depict itself. Deep down you all know this to be true. The outcome of Elisabeth Sparkle's fate is predictable. But I'm seeing it better off for that, because I empathize with her and it therefore feels so much more fucked up in the way Coralie Fargeat has written. You know she's made a choice and you can see it come to fruition before it does. There will come a day when I'm able to process who much guts Demi Moore has mustered to do this fucked-up shit. But today is not that day.
Hi Deepfocuslens - I thought this film was Barbie for the Cronenberg crowd with powerful performances by Demi and Margaret. A great follow-up to Revenge by Coralie
Loved this movie. I initially had that problem with the third act as well, but I think the film earns it. The whole film is heightened. It takes place in the same world as those exercise tapes. Everything is a bit too smiley and perfect. The men are too simple minded. Everything adheres to the beauty standards that are engrained in Hollywood, and anything outside of those beauty standards is absolutely monstrous. The way a certain character ages is initially subtle, but then they start to look like a witch straight out of a classic Disney fairy tale. So then when we see the final form of someone addicted to the substance, the film presents them like the monster that this exercise tape world sees when they see a woman who isn't attractive. (Side note: Holy shit those prosthetics. Especially Demi's face, mouth agape. Nightmare energy.) And then what happens (right when the Love Theme from Vertigo begins to play) is, I think, a form of self-acceptance. This is Sue. This is Elisabeth. We're all just monsters of flesh and blood deep down. If you can't accept that, then we'll just spray blood and guts and viscera all over your impossible standards until you do.
One of the best of the year! My one regret is that I didn't see it with a crowd because this is a movie that kind of experience. Big kudos to the sound designer too!
I really liked the movie except the last 15 minutes - I think it went to far. However, even though I liked it, I thought it was weird that the movie kind of failed its premise, which is the most important part really. The two main characters didn't seem to experience one another's experiences so I don't understand what Demi's character got out of the The Substance. In fact, seeing as what the younger main character did to her, Demi's character was constantly on the losing side. My brother viewed it the same way as me. I have also read others comments saying the same thing. When I first saw the trailer, I thought that the Substance would transform Demi's character into a younger version of her or that there would be second version of her that would be younger-looking. I think that would have made more sense.
That's exactly the problem I have with the movie. Elizabeth "shared" her time & got nothing out of it. If they switched her conscience between the bodies I could see the motivter, but that wasn't the case. She couldn't control the younger version or even remember what happend. I did like that it was something new & took a risk & Demi Moore was great, but yeah idk 🤔
I have a fair few issues with this film. but, this wasn't one of them. To me it felt much more like being drunk or high and waking up with that what did I do mentality. so, much more Jekyll and Hyde. I think Elisabeth was wrestling with the selfish juvenile part of her personality personified. Sue wasn't acting on any impulses that were not a part of Elisabeth's core behaviours to begin with. The very twisted morels it took for her to get to the top of her game in the first place, but had been smoothed by success and maturity. A real pandoras box of of psychology. Elisabeth is literally battling her id.
Ok after one month, more or less, of its release, I was finally able to get some time to watch this. I must say that this piece was Coralie's next level. This is one the best movies we got this year. Remember, respect the balance and you won't have anymore inconveniences, because at 50 it stops.
To me it’s a hollow and superficial attempt at maximalist body horror, bombarding the audience with empty shocks for its entire runtime-shock for the sake of shock, lacking any deeper meaning. The film’s narrative and messaging are painfully obvious, treating its audience as if we're foolish. There’s no subtext or room for interpretation. This is body horror done wrong by the most uninspired student of Cronenberg.
I have not managed to articulate my feelings of the film as well as this. This film was extremely shallow. All the visual quotes left me cold and wishing I was watching any of the better films it was tipping its hat to. That 3rd act didn’t feel earned in the slightest.
this is about histrionic personality disorder, if anything. it's easy to mix up these two. it's quite probable, this is similar to what goes on inside amber heard e.g.
You are quite simply one of the most articulate and intuitive movie reviewers I have ever experienced and I have watched movie reviews for 30 years
Exactly
Yes she is, she's absolutely magnificent, astute and so knowledgeable on the movie reviews.
The amount of references and inspiration drawn in this film.. The Thing, Carrie, The Fly, Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Repulsion, The Shining and tons more, All at once. WOW
Also black swan
There is some Re-Animator in this too with the neon green glow of The Substance itself
Requiem for a Dream
Not to mention it actually uses the love theme from Vertigo in a very darkly funny way
@@allenschneider8579definitely!
I'm glad you noted the fairy tale aspect of the film. I definitely noticed the influence and parallels of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Portrait of Dorian Grey and Snow White from first viewing.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is such a great novel. Everyone should read it.
yes yes 100%
Yeah at first I was thrown off by how Elisabeth looked after the misuse, but then I realized the film was going for a heightened, fairy tale version of everything and then the entire third act clicked for me.
Good connections to other works!
And I love how in the beginning with Dennis Quaid and shrimps, a metaphor of flesh inside a disposable shell dipped in with a "substance" of a dressing. Also with the robe that Sue wears and the dragon decoration that, to me can be interpreted as the Wicked Dragon that the main character needs to conquer, like the old classic fairytales.
I fucking loved this film. It is just top-to-bottom thrilling and provocative filmmaking. Easily one of the best films of the year.
This and Strange Darling are the surprise 10/10’s for the year for me.
There was only 2 other people in my theater, and they walked out at the final scene.
Wish i saw it with a packed theater to hear reactions.
Insane movie. Beautiful. Incredible sound. Amazing performances. What an experience.
A lot of people were laughing. Me and the dude were like squirning at our scene at the last scene. but i couldn't look away. Probably not the best movie to eat popcorn.
"walked out"🤣🤣🤣
Who else thought there were several visual references to Stanley Kubric's "The Shining"? The red stalls in the bathroom, the long, mazelike hallways and the blood running down the walls?
You think that's an accident? That's like referencing the beatles in a song
True! One of scenes made me think of Carrie
100%!! The Shining, Showgirls and also weirdly Requiem for a Dream. Also saw a lot of Gaspar Noé and David Lynch. The film had so many visual and cinematic references. It will take me days to get it out of my mind. It was honestly like experiencing cinema for the first time. Incredible!
Gilliam and Jeunet - fisheye lenses and broad performances from supporting characters.
Also when she is transforming for the first time. Those lights at the end look like traveling through space in 2001 A Space Odyssey, and of course the music when the monster walks on the stage.
I get the sense that the climax of the movie (metaphorically) has a lot to do with plastic surgery being used as a desperate final attempt at keeping one's youth and it delves into the public's shocked reaction at what a person has decided to do to themselves in order to remain in the spotlight and how the public occasionally views those people....and then they are discarded anyway. Ultimately, it's futile to want to escape yourself and getting older. It happens to everyone and there are no exceptions.
The director chose to use an actress who has had plastic surgery IRL. What would it look like if the actress was a healthy 62, no plastic surgery, still beautiful. I'm assuming she wanted to play with us a bit.
I found this movie exhilarating from beginning to end, it was so unique, and the final act had me laughing harder than I have in the theater in some time.
I've been randomly thinking of the movie the last few days after seeing it, grinning or shaking my head at how completely off the rails The Substance is. It is rare to be blown away like that.
Saw it last night and I can't get it out of my head. I was completely drawn in and lost track of everything else. Fucking masterpiece in cinema. Everyone involved with making this film should be proud of themselves. It is that good.
You clearly've never been into troubling addiction, i actually find last scene insanely heart breaking, if you're getting its symbolism and it resonates with you
The most important movie I've seen this year, I'm so thankful to have had the chance to see it in the theatre with the visual and sound design
So many references from cinema, pop culture, literature like others have commented. I just want to say that watching this film and being this excited by watching a film was unique experience that I never felt before. And by the way, I am a cinephile, a filmmaker and have studied filmmaking. I have watched a ton of cinema and at 30 years old, I have never felt like that while watching a film.
Best film I saw this year.
Dare I say, a modern Cult Classic.
It's kind of ironic, but the most poignant scene to me is when the "final iteration" is shown primping in front of a mirror and a music cue from "Vertigo" is played. As darkly humorous as it might be, it was as if everything I needed to know about the character and the central thesis of Fargeat's movie was encapsulated in that brief allusion to the Hitchcock classic.
Yes, that was a rather clever, and surprisingly subtle reference, especially when you consider the many themes in Vertigo, specifically the objectification and idealisation of women.
Yeah crazy! Like how did the stage hand not notice that he was seeing a poster and not the real person? Or maybe that was in the third person's mind?
Which musical cue was it
I love French movies, but this one seems especially good. Glad to hear Demi Moore is still delivering.
@@mikestand8067 It's a UK/French production. Filmed in France, Financed partly by the French, Directed by a French director.
@@mikestand8067 american actors doesn't make a movie American
How is this a French movie? 🤔
@@MFTH-cam683 Filmed in france, co-produced by a french company, directed by a French director.
@@Starkardur
1. It’s entirely in English
2. It’s set in LA and was filmed in France
3. The production companies are British and from the USA
4. Where and how is this French?
The cinematography and the editing was awesome it had a lot of cool creative choices
Saw the 7pm showing tonight. Went in not seeing the trailer only hearing non spoiler reviews and holy hell
This movie was bat shit crazy lol
Movie of the year for me
🖤
I would go even so far as saying, movie of the decade.
You are a brilliant reviewer and this is a really interesting and contemplative review offering some other insights that I haven't heard in the clutch of reviews I've listened too. I completely agree with all of it too, especially the part about how it isn't "anti-men" (I never felt that way for a second). I was absolutely floored by this movie and not just because of THAT insane ending - I completely felt the raw human emotions throughout, even throughout some of the crazier scenes. One such moment was when you see Demi Moore's character in that hideous old hag body suit. Just a total marvel of both prosthetics and her acting, not to mention the entire context of what we've seen leading up to and including that moment.
best film in years! Absolutely brilliantly unhinged. Superb soundtrack, set design, performances, colour palette. A movie for the Love Island generation. Gaspar Noé couldnt have done a better job!
The film reminded me of Robert Altman's 3 Women. The interdependence of the Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley characters parallels the synergy portrayed by Shelley Duvall and Sissy Spacek in 3 Women. While the films are different, one could argue the relationship between the women in each of these two films embody similar feminine themes. I also see similar reference to Bergman's Persona.
Lmfao this dumpster fire reminded you of two one of a kind cinema classics? I am officially in the Twilight Zone. This movie was redundant and cliche to the point of being laughable. Bergman would burn the cinema down if he went to see this one.
Demi Moore better at least be nominated for an Oscar for her performance. This was a very difficult movie and demanded a lot of both Demi and Margaret Qualley so they deserve recognition
idk how it would have been especially demanding on Qualley but Moore for sure.
They both did amazing! My vote goes to James McAvoy for his role in Speak No Evil. Demi is a VERY close second, imo, but idk really I think maybe it's just bc I like McAvoy better n he did such a great job also
Defo should be but generally the academy doesn’t like horror, at least horror this visceral
If Emma Stone can win an Oscar for playing Bella Baxter in Poor Things then Demi should win for playing Elizabeth Sparkle.
Well she wore prosthetic breasts and her body was objectified to infinity. I think playing that role is bound to make you think about your body and looks
Your reviews are usually spot on looking forward to this
Just seen this and am stunned. Grotesque, bold, comical, disgusting...
I just saw it. There were so many visual references to other directors and movies. The Elephant Man reference at the end was impossible to ignore.
Not to mention, The Fly
@@mrtn1478 Didn't see the Fly reference. Good catch.
Film was amazing. I went to a concert friday where I was the only millennial amongst an enormous crowd of gen z. It was a whole new experience from when I was young. I felt stifled in the way I interacted with them because they were all 10 years younger than me. This film helped me partially reconcile that awkward feeling of aging and becoming "too old". I think youre right the film will take on new meaning when I watch it in 10 years
Thanks for the great review! I’m not really a body horror fan but loved this movie. I appreciate your comments on how this movie portrays what’s really an existential crisis for the character.
Fantastic review and psychological analytic of the the internal demands felt by women to attempt to stay relevant in the superficial
realm of beauty standards set forth by society. The amount of plastic surgery, magic bullet health and beauty product mass
consumption make this desperation by men and women to remain perpetually young on the exterior speaks volumes on this
subject. It is by far better to remain conscientious and balanced with your life choices than to chase something that is
impossible. Grow old gracefully, and realize that who you are in terms of character and integrity, is far more
beautiful and transcendent than any exterior body.
100% no matter how hard we try, our bodies are organic, unpredictable and will inevitably fail us. It’s important to be content with this and just allow nature to prevail.
I want to see hollywood make a male version where the male can transform into someone taller and handsome and more white with blonde hair and all.
My favorite movie of the year. So fun.
Unrelatedly I’d be fascinated to hear your take on the Terrifier movies-particularly the 2nd one
I never understood how people claim she's always so negative. This review is GLOWING and now I'm so excited to watch this
Who says Maggie is negative? Eff them.
@@beestingza to be fair she dislikes / is luke-warm on most new releases - but there’s nothing wrong with that. She holds film to a high standard and I respect that, because when she gives a positive review you know you’re in for something quality.
Critics who constantly dole out glowing reviews lose a bit of credibility for me
@@nextgenpromotion3542 Anyone with half a brain hates most new releases. Thus it has always been so.
She's thoughtful, not negative. Of course, in 2020s America, the two are pretty much considered synonymous.
The ending i took it as what happens and how people react to you when you do too much plastic surgery this film is a body horror masterpiece
the script was unlike anything I've seen before a lot of layers to it i haven't seen a film where it has left me with my jaw on the floor it was very refreshing
Just got out of the theater a few hours ago... That was incredible, and easily my #1 of the year so far
Best review I've seen. Especially the 3rd act. Totally agree. I loved the makeup fx, but felt some of it would have benefitted with being less brightly lit. The monstro creature in the bathroom was lit too harshly for my liking. I'm also a makeup fx artist and prefer more subdued lighting in fx scenes like that. Still enjoyed it immensely though
I thought this film was absurdly on the nose. It seemed to be some kind of critical film about beauty standards, while using "ugliness" as a way to captivate the audience. The film struck me as faux-subversive and consistently pornographic throughout. Not a fan.
Cinematohrapgy and makeup effects were great. Good to see Dennis Quaid too playing the creepy over the top producer.
not to be dramatic but I truly believe accepting/embracing this film as it is and aiming to not want a less disgusting cut could literally cure someone’s body dysmorphia, I just saw it yesterday and I’m not even into body horror but I think it literally cured mine for good, but maybe my issues aren’t as deep as someone who’d get plastic surgery or go to extreme lengths to tweak their look/physicality, also super resonant if you’ve been called both beautiful and ugly in this life
in absolute awe of Fargeat, the crew and technical aspects and practical effects, and Moore and Qualley, incredible film I could talk about for days, heading back to the spoilers discussion Reddit now
wonder how Liotta would’ve played the Quaid character differently if at all
I’d love a review of Sanctuary with Qualley
Well, my body dysmorphia flared up a little during and after the film, so your mileage may vary.
your username is rather telling in this case.
@@KevLavigne-qp5sx telling what?
I saw Fargeat's movie Revenge a few years ago and found it somewhat unsettling and very engaging at the same time. Looking forward to seeing The Substance.
Going with a group of 7 on Monday - 3 guys, 4 gals - with probably lots to talk about afterward. Thanks for reviewing my most anticipated film of the year.
I went alone and I found myself having a deep convo with 2 senior ladies directly after the movie. Turns out there’s a lot of similarities between Demi’s character and her real life Hollywood story
it's definitely one that is good to watch with a group
There will be a lot to talk about after, that will be definite.
I’ve never clicked play faster than I just did right now when I saw that you reviewed this movie the day it came out
Just want to say you absolutely nailed the reviews for Stange Darling and now The Substance. Best reviews I've seen on each. Kudos.
I loved every second of this movie 😭 there so many messages that this movie beautifully executed through its horror . Amazing review !!
It's very rare that I take note of the sound design and how good it is. There a lot of films that try to mimic certain shots and ape a certain horror / grimey vibe but this is one of the very few films where it actually works and fits.
I found parallels with women who get addicted to plastic surgery and fillers, drug addiction... and even motherhood.
I literally just finished watching this film, and I was blown away by the makeup and practical effects. Everything about this film made me feel happy to be an old horror fan.
its amazing. it felt like it was made for me, as i love Raw, Requiem for a Dream, Sick of Myself, The Fly etc.
I was thinking about you after seeing, because i figured youd like it a lot, but maybe feel the characters were slightly under developed, or that it wasnt subtle at all, but i still give this 5/5 because the hyper-stylistic world forgives anything that some may see as a flaw. i also couldnt believe how far demi moore goes in this movie.
I Had Not Been to a Theater since 2009, and My Wife’s Girlfriend had seen this Film a couple of days ago. AND SAID IT WAS A WILD RIDE! I’m a Big Fan of Body Horror! Then reading some of these Comments I said , this is for Me! And we went to see it! Great camera Work, Great Acting, Brilliant Editing, it was completely OVER THE TOP!! Was way more than I EXPECTED!! Iv seen A lot of Body Horror Films dating back to the70s! And this one Took it to A WHOLE NEW LEVEL! GO SEE IT! Now! And Be Sure To Fasten YOUR SEATBELT!
RIP James Earl Jones, Legend !
Film of the Decade for me. I missed out on Fargeat's previous movie but I am already seated for her next picture on opening night.
A very intelligent and insightful review. Very engaging from beginning to end. I related I related to the problems that you have with the movie as well but not until after you brought them to my attention
Great review. Three reasons in the right order, why I not just loved the ending, but found it necessary:
1. Content: This movie is form over substance (höhö) all the way. Dialogues are pretty much irrelevant. The picture tells the story.
2. Contrast: The whole movie was a full contrast, whether maximal stress/pain - or beauty as a godly superpower. As balance to these pornlike super long closeups I felt the need to see a radical payoff as balance.
3. Culture:
Is this kind of body horror actually horror, when it’s just self-caused deformation? Wasn’t the pain she felt in the toilet in the beginning alike? Is looking like a “monster” actually a problem?
Thanks Maggie. Great review.
Thanks for watching!
@@deepfocuslens hi five 🖐🏼
I found that I lost the movie when she suddenly is able to get the job without no questions of her identity and the fact she has a body lying around in her bathroom until she becomes a highly skilled builder and hides the body in a secret room .
In regards to this movie not making the 'men bad' mistake, it helps that the French are generally less puritanical and politically corrective then their anglosphere counterparts. Interested in seeing this. Nice review as usual.
What helps is that the French aren't woke-ass Hollywood. Although, aren't they? lol
By that you mean letting men get away with bad shit? Yeah. French do that. Alot
@@austinhunt4260the day you end up alone will be the funniest day ever
@@nalday2534 Imagine the funniest day EVER being some random TH-cam screenname ending up alone. Inability to think coherently is one of the earliest symptom of the woke mind virus digesting the frontal lobe.
Yeah the Hollywood take would be a one-note polemic against men as if saying that women who got ahead on their looks and youth deserve eternal reverence until they die.
Been waiting for this review, glad you got to it early. This movie was great exploration of that grit and gloss dichotomy as you so aptly put. My jaw was on the floor so often at how beautiful and ugly this movie was.
I absolutely LOVE this movie! Rarely do you get to see a film that has so many different aspects and emotions in it. This was masterfull film making and everyone involved in this movie should be proud of themselves. To me it is almost a perfect movie. I don't know much about the film maker but from now on I will keep an eye on what she does in the industry. Very interesting director
Saw this today... This film is bonkers! Kind of reminds me of The Fly... It's a powerful film about beauty standards and self-obsession with bizarre humour thrown into the mix, and you get this. This was one hell of a ride. Dune Part Two and The Substance got to be two of my favourite films of this year so far. No movie this year made me feel good about cinema like these two. They brought back what Cinema lacked in quite some time, I would say this... The Substance is not as re-watchable as Dune 2 just because to me like "The Fly" it just... disturbed the heck out of me and left me feeling sad by the end, I just hate seeing characters destroy themselves like this. An easy 9/10, a possible Masterpiece. I just need to sit with it for few more hours before I can fully decide where I stand with this movie. But yes... it's worth watching!
Yes The Fly for sure. that idea of crossing the point of no return and having such regret.
Heavily influenced by Baz Luhrmann the movie basket case and freaky Friday and Cronenberg. Great film. Fantastic take on the syzygy mythos.
Very much an admirer of Demi Moore. So definitely looking forward to seeing this.
The best breakdown and review I've ever seen here.
The Substance was a knockout.
Your script is insane or if you're going off the top of your head even more insane. What a clear and very articulated review
Spot on! I loved this film. I saw it recently at a festival alongside some other interesting films that explore characters in search of a 'better' version of themselves: A DIFFERENT MAN and EMILIA PEREZ. Both highly recommended.
I actually laughed toward the end of this movie!!! I find it interesting at the start but then it was just ridiculous in a way.... I wish it was better. I give it 5/10... This is Comedy/Horror to me.
It's satirical horror so you're supposed to laugh at the end.
Maggie, I'm interested in watching this film with my 16-year-old daughter, as it seems to focus on topics like body dysmorphia and the male gaze. I hope it works for her--she loves the original Carrie, by the way.
Isn't 16 a little bit young for this film? But kudos for saying you'd watch it with her. That's awesome parenting; talking about extreme material that actually has something to say, putting the world in context. It's the ideal.
If your daughter is interested in the male - and therefore female - gaze, has she, or you both, seen Portrait Of A Lady On Fire? It's an astonishingly beautiful and meticulously crafted exploration of the gaze, as well as (this'll sound very pretentious, but it'll make sense - in one scene literally visually - in the film) the potential horizontality, as opposed to hierarchy, of social bonds. Especially female.
But yeah, the first moment of the film is a blank white screen - that's swiftly revealed to be a painter's canvas. It's a film literally framing itself and its subjects/themes. Arguably the best scene in the film sublimely demonstrates the relationship between viewer and viewed, and the nuances of potential power dynamics.
It's also about the meaning we can ascribe to art as we live our lives. And it's just potently, thrillingly romantic - but never in a typical generic manner.
Gorgeous to look at, deeply intelligent and multi-layered, and with phenomenal direction and performances. I adore Céline Sciamma when she's firing on all cylinders.
If your daughter prefers body horror, then yeah, there's none of that. ; -) But I thought I'd proselytise a masterpiece that does explore the potential of the female gaze in opposition to the typical male.
I have a 17yo and would have taken her to this if could handle the body horror. It’s pretty gross. The social commentary is very well done, though. Can’t wait to see it again!
You should definitely see it once without your young daughter, to judge whether it's too extreme for her. It is Very extreme.
@@SabiJD'proselytise a masterpiece' = you aped the vocabulary & cadence of mainstream corporate film criticism to repeat..what every single corporate film critic said about that film
too young for 'body horror' but the perfect age to be indoctrinated by a paean to homosexuality & abortion
right
right
@@helvete_ingres4717 I love how any movie with a subject you don't like is suddenly indoctrinating its audience. Geez on that logic how could anyone want someone to watch The Substance then, right?
For me this film had a whole lot of style style and it was very entertaining, but the satirical content was so blantant and constant, as well as so banal and unsubversive, that the film ended up being kind of stupid despite all it’s visual and sonic flair. It looked like a mash-up of Kubric, Cronenberg and Aronofsky but the themes and cultural critique were so on the nose and in your face that once the movie was over it didn’t linger like any of those directors’ works do (and I say that as someone who is no great fan of Aronofsky).
You put into words almost perfectly my feelings on this movie. Absolutely fantastic makeup and practical effects, but no real depth.
I couldn't believe that Dennis Quaid's character was presented seriously, it felt like a parody of a parody of how a sexist/chauvinist producer type person would be portrayed
@@Wodro That's what I think too - a parody of a parody is very accurate to say. And not only about Dennis Quaid character, but basically everything else. In my view, this film looks shallow by design. The references to "serious" movies, just like a thousand other cultural references that form the shiny "substance" of the film's "reality" (both puns intended), seem to be only copies of copies of copies. Well... I may not be on to anything really insightful, but that surely imitates a fancy sentence :)))
@@aallerton Haha no I got you, and I 100% agree. This is just the latest trendy style over substance (pun definitely intended :p) outing for people to virtue signal against
Couldn't agree more. Not to say it was bad, or not impactful in its unabashed nature, but I just didn't feel like I came out of it learning more or feeling different about the subject matters. Very on the nose, very typical.
The male version of this is the Rock Hudson movie SECONDS. Think about it. 😮😮😮
Best review I’ve seen so far; I just saw this film today and LOVED it!
This sounds like an interesting movie that I could never watch.... too empathetic and squeamish. The "explosive climax, pun intended" comment cinched it. Yesterday I got a couple of texts : "i saw it last night and saw probably a quarter of it covering me eyes" and " I wish they would release a “mercy censoring” version for people like me with weak stomachs." When I was young I realized that I empathized with the pain or embarrassment of others, even those on screen, much more than most people. Heck, when I first saw "Raiders of the Lost Ark" I left the theater with a sore neck from reflexively jerking my head when Indy got hit in the face.
Although it is probably blasphemy on a film analysis site like this one, I admit to missing the days of "edited for television" versions of graphic movies.
I thought about skipping this one for the very reasons you mentioned. I had to shut my eyes in parts and really felt pain for a character (not giving away whom). And I almost felt like I had seen enough and wanted to leave BUT I am glad I stayed. I took the whole thing up to the third act too seriously. The payoff in the end was worth the struggle. I say see it with the knowledge that it’s satire and an homage to the amazing special effects artists of the 80s from movies like The Thing and The Fly
Hi Maggie. I, too, feel torn. I do think it's an audacious piece of filmmaking and brilliantly made with a refreshing singularity but, as you say, the internal v. external theme was somewhat abandoned for the more crowdpleasing absurdist comedy bodyhorror ending, which, though it is a critique of the grotesquerie of consumerism itself, celebrity-worship and appetite for facile entertainment, it diminishes the intelligence that was hinted at earlier.
What a bug out! I have a feeling I'll NEVER forget this film!
it reminded me of neon demon in too many ways for that.
it's really about renunciation. not being a winner or a loser. being centered. balanced. thus why they say "respect the balance". you are one.
Omg dude… I had no idea what I was getting myself into. At the end my knuckles were clenched, I was laughing, looking away, and silently crying underneath it all.
So good
The message is clear - just watched the movie - just accept yourself - it implies to man as well - rather than societal framework of perfect Men and Women !!
The horrific scenes are a treat to anyone who relishes such raw moments !!
For quite a mainstream film it was a joy to see the practical Brian Yuzna/Stuart Gordon-esque effects in the final third, and the very end definitely nods to Society, which seems appropriate in relation to the themes of the film.
..But who knows, the writer/director may have never actually seen Society, but should ha.
I just watched this film, and it evoked a lot of thoughts, which is rare for modern day Hollywood movies now. Being in the industry myself, I saw the producer who screwed her over, and many of the other pandering characters, as accurately representing people I have encountered in the industry. There is a lot of awful people in the entertainment industry who use the "talent" to push their own agendas. And dump them the minute the benefits stop.
The female aging themes were well done, as were the themes of how we would all love to be young again, and many people's overwhelming desire, to be "adored" and "famous". But I also got a sense of old people's resentment of young people's youth and young people's resentment of old people not wanting to let their turn end, so the next generation can have a turn. This is becoming a very big problem in our society as the Boomer generation tries to cling on to ... well, everything. So, it really struck home with me.
The film also made me think of how many people in Hollywood sense that it is dying, and yearn for the golden years, so I appreciated that too because I have had a lot of conversations around that, and it's becoming increasingly common. Which is normal as each generation grows old. We all see the past with rose tinted glasses.
But what struck me the most, was the hints of everyday reality in the entertainment industry, and society in general, where everybody praises you until it turns you into a monster of conceits creation - then they quickly turn on that monster when it becomes hideous or old, or both. I thought that was interesting. Overall, really enjoyed the film, and your review of it.
One of the very best movies I've ever seen. Revenge was a masterpiece, and now this. Wow. Just stunning.
The cinematography was excellent. It was a movie for our time, an anti-Hollywood movie pretending to be several other things. It actually calls back to a lot of Hollywood's earliest days - Browning, Lon Chaney, Sunset Boulevard's chew you up and spit you out message as well as its exploration of the desire for fame and its price and what you do when the pictures get smaller. The fact that so many inter-textual references and callbacks are evident is proof that this is a lens that needed put back onto the way Hollywood operates and how it has never really changed. Quite daring. Not hackneyed use of misogyny or misandry but thoughtful exploration of those ideas without laying the blame squarely on one aspect over another. It lets the audience decide and that is its great strength.
Fans of Ryan Fuller and Brad Falchuk's work will love this.
The substance as a product is quite incredible. If Sue and Elizabeth worked together as a team, they really could have built a ridiculously successful life for themselves. I hope there's a sequel, because there's so much of this idea left unexplored.
I love this movie so much. Just wanted to see what you thought. I had a feeling you would love this too. I love so much how this movie appreciates the Female Form. I feel like that has been lost in many movies... Women are objectively beautiful. How we forget them as they age is the theme of the movie. That is hard for alot of Women I bet. You turn 40 and all of the sudden your less than in some cases just because of your age. Demi Moore reminds us that there is still Sex post 60. And it can look damn good.
Love this movie just for its ode to sexiness. But also there is so much more to unpack. I love the 305 locker and having this company pick up the phone to take complaints and offer solutions.
Yes the climax was so cool, I need to watch it 10 more times to figure out what was real, and what was dream. Thank you DeepfocusLens.
Even youth doesn't render a minority of women attractive so not all women suffer evenly through aging or more specifically losing their erotic capital. Some women even seem to flourish in mid-life and beyond. Perhaps they didn't take their youthful attractiveness so to heart?
@@nighttrain1236 I read that as well. You see the nurse or RN in the beginning of the movie. He seems to be handling the program with more comfort and peace. Is this due to his intelligence? Or was he as a person just less vain and compulsive and jealous and greedy? Elizabeth Sparkles would have done some vile things to achieve her goals it seems. And her Split version encapsulates all her worst qualities. Elizabeth even tried to sabotage HERSELF. And only saves Sue because she cannot let go of her fame. What a movie. I just love this movie.
Someone's food came up in my screening. I didn't expect it to be such a hardcore horror movie (no trailer rule). Also, it didn't even seem like Demi was acting, amazing performance.
Yesterday I had the chance to watch “The Substance,” a film that promised to keep me on the edge of my seat, and to a large extent, it delivered on that promise. The psychological plot is intriguing and draws you in from the first moment, maintaining constant suspense for 85% of the running time. Demi Moore delivers a solid performance, taking the viewer through a labyrinth of emotions and unexpected twists.
However, despite its strong beginning and development, the ending of the film left me with a bittersweet taste. The grotesquely comical conclusion felt out of place in a psychological thriller that had built such a tense and serious atmosphere. This abrupt change in tone not only puzzled me, but also took away the impact of what could have been a masterpiece of the genre.
In short, “The Substance” is a film that almost achieves greatness. If it weren’t for its jarring ending, I would have easily placed it among the top three films of the year. Still, it's a worthwhile cinematic experience, especially for those who enjoy a good psychological thriller, albeit with a warning about its unexpected ending.
Exactly this. The campy ending cheats Demi out of her incredible performance. It will be seen as a classic, but it could have been a masterpiece.
@@21stcenturyhiphop exactly.. I mean, big stars doesnt show whole naked in a comedy or satire ... the get naked when the screenplay seems to be seriously commited with a great ending.
I agree, I thought it was solid until the last twenty minutes. I wish they just ended when Sue did the second activator and looked in the mirror.
@@Themanofthehouse-ww7nn agree
I really liked this movie but thought it would have benefited from the beginning being much more subdued so the last half of the film would have had more of an impact due to contrast
The Kubrick references were excellently utilized without being too much... The red Shining bathroom and carpeted hallways, the cartoony Clockwork Orange close-ups and disgusting characters, the "stargate" sequence and Thus Spoke Zarathustra...
They did a great job of being part of the story and themes without leaning too heavily on the references Family Guy style.
Just saw the substance after watching your review. It is spellbinding, one of the greatest body horror films ever made. The Lynch influence is obvious with the stilted, over the top acting and some surrealism. The ending is just bizarre and gonzo I was left shocked how far they were willing to push. Could have been a little shorter but for sure one of the best movies of the year
Exactly the culture of womanhood is too tied to appearance
It’s been a while since I’ve uncontrollably laughed. Amazing audience experience
The last part of the movie lasted longer than I expected
Mind-blowing. I had to avert my gaze a lot, and a few in the audience were driven away. Best horror film of the year so far IMO, while being funny as Hell. Over the top for sure. Lots to talk about...
Sorry, spoilers:
In reference to the third act, I actually enjoyed it a lot outside of the upfront campy aspects of it. What I interpreted from it was that when Sue injected the substance and when it became the “monster”, that was really the original host’s (Elizabeth’s) worst nightmare. We get to see a bit of how Elizabeth got her flowers with everyone giving her praise but then everyone turns on her and calls her hideous and a monster. She even tries to say, “it’s still me!”. I feel like the Carrie-esque scene was Elizabeth’s final fuck you to everyone and the industry that she never really got to give. I liked the small touches of the torn dress and the only things hanging out of the tears are boobs, like she’s saying “here, this is what you want to see right?”
Great review! Just wanted to share my thoughts :)
The fact that this is a French film depicting Los Angeles, there's a detached aspect and it brings something bigger home than it could if Hollywood tried to depict itself. Deep down you all know this to be true.
The outcome of Elisabeth Sparkle's fate is predictable. But I'm seeing it better off for that, because I empathize with her and it therefore feels so much more fucked up in the way Coralie Fargeat has written. You know she's made a choice and you can see it come to fruition before it does.
There will come a day when I'm able to process who much guts Demi Moore has mustered to do this fucked-up shit. But today is not that day.
People were definitely making comments during the insanity in my theatre
Hi Deepfocuslens - I thought this film was Barbie for the Cronenberg crowd with powerful performances by Demi and Margaret. A great follow-up to Revenge by Coralie
I saw this in a packed cinema of all ages and diversity at the closing of the sydney fim festival no one knew what they were about to watch...
This movie fucking rocks. I've been thinking about it for several days now and damn. It's really good.
Loved this movie. I initially had that problem with the third act as well, but I think the film earns it. The whole film is heightened. It takes place in the same world as those exercise tapes. Everything is a bit too smiley and perfect. The men are too simple minded. Everything adheres to the beauty standards that are engrained in Hollywood, and anything outside of those beauty standards is absolutely monstrous. The way a certain character ages is initially subtle, but then they start to look like a witch straight out of a classic Disney fairy tale. So then when we see the final form of someone addicted to the substance, the film presents them like the monster that this exercise tape world sees when they see a woman who isn't attractive. (Side note: Holy shit those prosthetics. Especially Demi's face, mouth agape. Nightmare energy.)
And then what happens (right when the Love Theme from Vertigo begins to play) is, I think, a form of self-acceptance. This is Sue. This is Elisabeth. We're all just monsters of flesh and blood deep down. If you can't accept that, then we'll just spray blood and guts and viscera all over your impossible standards until you do.
Blood guts and bones -- The substance of all of us
@@Angelb-dj1od We are the substance!
Also I feel like Coralie Fargeat knowingly chose the title as a joke about "style over substance"
Would love to hear your opinion on Red Rooms! Currently on limited distribution but so good
One of the best of the year! My one regret is that I didn't see it with a crowd because this is a movie that kind of experience.
Big kudos to the sound designer too!
Favorite movie of the year so far.
Yeah for sure, saw it twice already plan to see it two more times.
Hijinks did definitely ensue and I loved this movie for that. Fun fact...Demi Moore is actually 61. So she was playing younger.
I really liked the movie except the last 15 minutes - I think it went to far. However, even though I liked it, I thought it was weird that the movie kind of failed its premise, which is the most important part really. The two main characters didn't seem to experience one another's experiences so I don't understand what Demi's character got out of the The Substance. In fact, seeing as what the younger main character did to her, Demi's character was constantly on the losing side. My brother viewed it the same way as me. I have also read others comments saying the same thing. When I first saw the trailer, I thought that the Substance would transform Demi's character into a younger version of her or that there would be second version of her that would be younger-looking. I think that would have made more sense.
maybe that's the whole point. The substance really didn't seem to relfect her at all, just promising something that it doesn't fulfill
It seemed like the writers were daring each other to see how far the others would go for the ending.
That's exactly the problem I have with the movie. Elizabeth "shared" her time & got nothing out of it. If they switched her conscience between the bodies I could see the motivter, but that wasn't the case. She couldn't control the younger version or even remember what happend.
I did like that it was something new & took a risk & Demi Moore was great, but yeah idk 🤔
I have a fair few issues with this film. but, this wasn't one of them. To me it felt much more like being drunk or high and waking up with that what did I do mentality. so, much more Jekyll and Hyde. I think Elisabeth was wrestling with the selfish juvenile part of her personality personified. Sue wasn't acting on any impulses that were not a part of Elisabeth's core behaviours to begin with. The very twisted morels it took for her to get to the top of her game in the first place, but had been smoothed by success and maturity. A real pandoras box of of psychology. Elisabeth is literally battling her id.
Ok after one month, more or less, of its release, I was finally able to get some time to watch this. I must say that this piece was Coralie's next level. This is one the best movies we got this year. Remember, respect the balance and you won't have anymore inconveniences, because at 50 it stops.
Very enjoyable. Ran out of steam towards end. Demi fantastic. Wasnt anywhere near as gory as I was expecting.
Such a great review. I was curious about it but unsure. After watching your review I will definitely check it out.
To me it’s a hollow and superficial attempt at maximalist body horror, bombarding the audience with empty shocks for its entire runtime-shock for the sake of shock, lacking any deeper meaning. The film’s narrative and messaging are painfully obvious, treating its audience as if we're foolish. There’s no subtext or room for interpretation.
This is body horror done wrong by the most uninspired student of Cronenberg.
I have not managed to articulate my feelings of the film as well as this. This film was extremely shallow. All the visual quotes left me cold and wishing I was watching any of the better films it was tipping its hat to. That 3rd act didn’t feel earned in the slightest.
The movie is about the nature of Narcissism.
this is about histrionic personality disorder, if anything. it's easy to mix up these two. it's quite probable, this is similar to what goes on inside amber heard e.g.