Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance into the ol’ VCR.
CW/TWs: EDs, SI, extreme gore and violence, and all like topics
The Substance didn’t live up to my expectations…
…it exceeded them.
Not only is this movie one of my favorite horror movies of the year, it’s one of my favorite movies of the year, period.
Demi Moore’s performance is at an all-time high, and we get to see her like we’ve never seen her before (and don’t take that comment lightly).
But, let’s back up.
If you aren’t familiar with The Substance, here’s a really quick synopsis:
Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) is a 50-year-old celebrity who is being phased out of her own fitness show because of the ridiculous beauty standards and ageism of Hollywood. In an attempt to keep everything she’s worked so hard for and regain her confidence, she tries a mysterious new drug, known only as “the substance,” to unlock a younger version of herself (Margaret Qualley).
Now, The Substance really could’ve fumbled the message. In fact, that was my biggest concern going in.
I wasn’t looking for another movie that basically said, “Everything works out for you if you’re young and hot!”
However, I can safely assure you that The Substance seems to be vehemently against that mentality.
I’m going to try to keep this review as spoiler free as possible because I went in blind, and I think you should too.
I will say, though, that I’m going to have to talk about some of the body horror stuff to make my point, so if you want to skip to the paragraph that starts with “However, The Substance[…],” now’s the time.
Additionally, please take the CWs/TWs I put at the top seriously, as those topics will be discussed from here on out.
Alrighty, let’s get into it.
As someone who has been in recovery for their EDs for a few years, one thing that really stuck out to me in The Substance was the focus on EDs.
I struggled with anorexia and workout bulimia throughout my teens and early to mid-20s, and if you’ve ever struggled, please know I see you and I hear you. I’ll also put some resources at the end of the piece if you need to talk to someone and/or are ready to seek treatment.
Throughout The Substance, we either don’t see Elisabeth eat, or she binge eats. Additionally, she throws up very early on in the film after only drinking. There are also several scenes throughout, like when she’s meeting with Harvey (Dennis Quaid) at a restaurant, where we are given close ups of him binge eating, as Elisabeth appears to eat nothing.
In my opinion, I believe that Elisabeth has bulimia, and that’s why we only see her binge eating. Elisabeth also teaches aerobics classes, and another symptom of bulimia is extreme exercise.
I also believe that some side-effects from the substance are all meant to reflect the dangerous consequences of long-term EDs.
For example, EDs can cause hair loss, tooth decay, substance abuse (in this case, THE substance abuse), brittle nails, osteoporosis, etc…
Many of these complications mirror what happens to Elisabeth whenever Sue doesn’t switch back.
There’s also a scene where Sue pulls a chicken wing out of her belly button, which could be perceived in a couple of different ways…
Either a) it represents a physical manifestation of Elisabeth’s binging and purging or b) it represents a physical manifestation of how Elisabeth believes that if she eats, it will cause her to gain weight.
I would also like to call out a line from the phone operator (I have no clue what to call this person) for the substance wherein he tells Elisabeth that essentially any damage done to her by Sue’s negligence can’t be undone, which aligns with some of the more severe complications from EDs. Once you’ve done so much damage to your body, it can’t be fixed.
However, The Substance doesn’t just tackle the subject of EDs, but rather, it tackles ageism, sexism, the impossible beauty standards placed on women and femme-presenting peeps, self-consciousness, and everything in between.
It also takes female rage to a primal level, and I’m here for it.
Additionally, the messages are so powerful throughout that I found myself rolling my eyes on more than one occasion.
It’s also…funny? Albeit, uncomfortably and darkly funny, but still.
The TL;DR is that this movie freakin’ RULES.
But, it’s gnarly. I do have to warn you that it’s gnarly.
Now, for someone like me who watches horror like it’s my job (which, I guess it kind of is?), I’ll be honest and say that it wasn’t quite as bad as I thought it was going to be.
Is it absolutely grotesque? 100%.
But as someone who has seen their fair share of Brian Yuzna, I wasn’t as disgusted as the people sitting next to me.
I’ll put it this way—if you’ve watched Society and made it through the shunting scene, I think you’ll be okay.
If you can handle guts and gore and killer practical effects, I HIGHLY recommend watching this one as soon as you can.
And remember, you are one.
Resources
Please know that you aren’t alone, and there are resources available to help you get into recovery. I’ve linked some below. I love you. 🖤
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