The Substance Review: Demi Moore’s Daring Turn in a Twisted Tale of Ambition
Demi Moore stars in The Substance, a dark satire on fame and aging. Director Coralie Fargeat’s debut blends body horror and ambition for a jaw-dropping, unforgettable climax.
Demi Moore’s bold performance takes center stage in The Substance, the English-language debut from director Coralie Fargeat, now streaming on MUBI. A darkly comic exploration of fame’s pitfalls and the relentless pursuit of youth, the film is as daring as it is grotesque. Echoing the career-defining transformations of actors like Michael Keaton in Birdman or Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler, Moore embodies Elizabeth Sparkle, an aging star facing irrelevance, only to make an unthinkable choice that spirals into surreal body horror.
A Risky Revival with a Sinister Edge
Elizabeth, a once-celebrated actress now relegated to hosting a retro aerobics show, is haunted by her fading stardom. When her boss, the despicably named Harvey, delivers the crushing news of her dismissal—blaming her age—Elizabeth’s despair reaches a peak. Fargeat subtly critiques the industry’s brutal ageism through these scenes, underlined by the venomous portrayal of Harvey, whose mere name evokes associations of past industry scandals.
With nowhere else to turn, Elizabeth seizes an opportunity that promises a miraculous rejuvenation: an underground, experimental drug known only as “The Substance.” The premise sets off a chain of events that merge satirical wit with unsettling horror, challenging both Elizabeth and viewers to confront the true cost of vanity.
The Horrors of Self-Reflection
Injecting the neon-green formula, Elizabeth experiences a grotesque rebirth as a younger version of herself, portrayed with striking audacity by Margaret Qualley. The transformation isn’t just skin-deep—it’s disturbingly literal. Fargeat’s eye for detail in these sequences adds layers of visual shock, setting the tone for the outlandish scenes that follow. The younger, more radiant Elizabeth finds immediate success, reclaiming her spotlight and revitalizing her career. Yet, this newfound fame comes with conditions: she must revert to her older form after one week or face severe repercussions.
The film plays with deep-rooted themes of self-competition and the internalized pressures women face in an industry that prizes youth. As Elizabeth stretches the boundaries of her contract, the decaying consequences become horrifyingly visible, turning her quest for perfection into a chilling metaphor for self-destruction.
A Complex Take on Feminist Commentary
While The Substance navigates familiar critiques of societal and self-imposed standards, it stops short of fully implicating the structures that enable such obsessions. The portrayal of Elizabeth’s battle—primarily fought within her own psyche—hints at a broader commentary about personal accountability and ambition. However, it risks inadvertently suggesting that women bear the brunt of blame for striving to meet unattainable ideals. Fargeat toys with this idea but never entirely shifts focus from Elizabeth’s internal struggle to the systemic forces at play.
The film’s depiction of Elizabeth’s dual personas—one clinging to the past, the other driven by selfish ambition—mirrors the competitive dynamic within many women in entertainment, fostering both empathy and discomfort. It’s an effective, if unsettling, reminder that the battle against obsolescence is as much internal as it is external.
A Climax That Redefines Shock Value
The final act of The Substance is a spectacle of visceral storytelling, one that flirts with absurdity while keeping a steady grip on its satirical tone. Without delving into spoiler territory, suffice it to say that the movie’s climax defies conventional storytelling and pushes the envelope on what audiences might expect. It’s both darkly humorous and unflinchingly grotesque, cementing Fargeat’s place as a director unafraid to blend sharp commentary with bold, often unsettling imagery.
Conclusion: A Bold, If Flawed, Examination of Aging and Ambition
Demi Moore’s fearless performance elevates The Substance into a compelling, albeit flawed, narrative. The film’s commentary on age, identity, and ambition is potent, even as it treads murky waters regarding the true culprits behind such struggles. With its unique blend of horror and satire, The Substance is an experience best approached with an open mind—and a strong stomach.
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