Writer/Director: Coralie Fargeat
Starring: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid
‘A Captivating Horror Classic’
Few actresses in Hollywood have made films that audiences adore as much as Demi Moore. Ever since her rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Moore has become a celebrated icon. Whether it’s strong lawyers, ghostly figures or financial investors, Moore has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Moore’s finest strength as an actress has often been her bravery. She is one of those rare actresses that hasn’t ever been afraid of taking on risky roles that require intense commitment. Moore’s commitment to playing each role with a strong dedication has made her a celebrated icon in entertainment. Through her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling, Moore has built a larger than life legacy which is lasting. Shining a bright light in pitch-black darkness, Moore has become a celebrated actress in the entertainment business. During a long-lasting career, Moore has created several memorable movies which are definitely without any doubt worth seeing.
Now, Moore is back on the big-screen and her strengths as an actress are clearly evident in her latest film “The Substance”. Released in 2024, Moore’s most recent movie offered an engaging depiction of celebrities concerned about their body image. Packed with strong production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films of the year. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Demi Moore, who embodies a famous celebrity addicted to a drug that gives her the chance to become younger. Ultimately, what makes “The Substance” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a heartbreaking message regarding body image that resonates with everyone. A meaningful masterpiece that captures the dangers of drug addiction, there are several reasons why “The Substance” is a movie worth seeing.
“The Substance” tells a story about a celebrity which uses a black market drug to become a younger version of herself. Demi Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a famous actress that has build a successful career in the film industry. Having reached age of maturity, Elisabeth’s career has started to decline. No longer the renowned actress which she once used to be, Elisabeth strives to discover a way to save her career from catastrophe. However, Elisabeth’s life forever changes when she discovers a drug that allows her to become a younger version of herself. Facing the dilemma of aging, Elisabeth is drawn towards a powerful drug which allows her to become younger. As she grows addicted to the substance, Elisabeth begins to discover that her dream of becoming famous isn’t going to be simple. Questioning whether she will ever be famous again, Elisabeth discovers the grim realities of living in an industry which leads her to face pain.
Writer/director Coralie Fargeat has often been fascinated with the theme of female adversity. Before she directed “The Substance”, Fargeat was known for making movies about the lives of strong females embarking upon journeys of self-discovery. Her previous movie “Revenge” offered an engaging depiction of women that seek grim vengeance. With “The Substance”, however, she created her first body horror film. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers faced by celebrities which seek to change their bodies, but she succeeds. Using gorgeous cinematography, Fargeat captures a woman embarking on a journey to confront the consequences of an aging, Fargeat effectively uses point-of-view shots to capture a woman discovering that she can age backwards. For instance, the point-of-view shots enhance the body transformation scene. During this intense scene, Elisabeth transforms into a younger self causing her to face catastrophe. One admires intimate point-of-view shots capturing intense hardships that celebrities which age backward go through. Point-of-view shots are not simple to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” suggested, point-of-view shots enhance jaw-dropping horror films about frightening sharks. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Fargeat conveys obstacles that aging actresses are frequently facing,
Another admirable aspect of “The Substance” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Fargeat is one of those filmmakers that had always had an aptitude for designing costumes in her movies, and “The Substance” showcased her main strengths as a filmmaker. Fargeat effectively uses stunning costumes to showcase the transformation of a woman into a far younger version of herself. For instance, bright costumes enhance the auditions scene. During this unforgettable scene, Elisabeth is transformed into a younger version of herself to audition for a movie. One appreciates the costume-design capturing lives of celebrities facing a decline. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Raffertie’s music is integral to the movie’s success. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which drug-addicted celebrities often bear. Through the extraordinary production-design, Fargeat captures the lives of commemorated aging celebrities facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Substance” is a captivating film that’s engrossing. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully uses symbolism to capture hardships that drug-addicted celebrities are facing. Fargeat’s screenwriting strength is her abilities to tensions faced by drug addicted women which seek to change their bodies. Throughout the movie, the substance drug becomes a strong symbol of the dangers of body image. For instance, the symbolism of the drug enhances the body transformation scene. During this intense scene, Elisabeth develops a strong bond with the substance which becomes a part of her identity. One appreciates symbolism capturing obstacles aging women are enduring. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” suggested clearly, symbolism enhances films about Los Angeles. Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” demonstrated symbolism enhances literary adaptations. Nevertheless, it works in this movie extremely. Through a spectacular screenplay, Fargeat demonstrates the lives of aging celebrities that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Demi Moore delivers one of her finest career performances as Elisabeth. Moore achieved recognition for portraying dedicated lawyers. With “The Substance”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to depict an aging celebrity relying on a drug to build a successful image, but she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her in the past before: intense, charismatic and utterly vulnerable in her most memorable role. It’s a physically demanding role giving the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone. With mesmerizing expressions, she embodies the angst, desperation and trauma of a woman facing the painful consequences of aging. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the greatest actresses working in the film industry today.
Margaret Qualley is magnificent as a woman that seeks to be a younger version of herself using a drug which causes catastrophe. While Moore gets a showier role, Qualley also shines as a woman facing an emotional toll. Qualley has always been one of those actresses with a sex appeal, and “The Substance” showcased her strengths as a performer. Whether she is confidently auditioning for a role on a dance show or injecting drugs into the older version of herself, Qualley effectively uses her strong body to capture the obstacles that a strong actress is facing. It’s a role that gave Qualley a chance to step out of her comfort zone playing a complicated character that isn’t a stereotypical damsel in distress. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most talented young actresses currently working in the film industry today.
Finally, “The Substance” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing the dangers of body image. Unlike most movies about body image, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film tackles strong themes such as identity, body image and sexuality that will resonate with everyone. It delivers a thoughtful message about body image that will resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the world of fashion to appreciate it. Despite its focus on celebrities living in L.A., the film tackles universal themes of body image which would resonate with everyone around the world today. Therefore, “The Substance” is one of those rare movies capturing substance ause which will resonate with everyone.
Fans of Demi Moore will definitely appreciate “The Substance” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating classic about body image, it commemorates an actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
A frightening portrait of obstacles faced by aging celebrities using dangerous substances to cope with declining bodies which are deteriorating, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actress that built an enduring legacy gaining a tremendous fan following through her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling whose memorable movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 