‘The Substance’: Key Insights into Demi Moore’s Dynamic New Film
At first blush, one might easily overlook "The Substance" as yet another gory addition to the body horror genre. Yet, beneath its visceral exterior lies a narrative rich with self-awareness and feminism, crafted by French auteur Coralie Fargeat, known for her critically acclaimed debut "Revenge" in 2017. Her latest venture serves as a stark and vivid cautionary tale about the perils of the relentless pursuit of youth.
The storyline of "The Substance" is straightforward: Elisabeth Sparkle, portrayed with gusto by Demi Moore, is a lauded actress and fitness icon with her own star on the Walk of Fame. As she marks her 50th year, she faces the sudden termination of her contract by the unsavory exec Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid. In her ensuing despair, Elisabeth hears of an enigmatic underground drug, the Substance, promising rejuvenation but with grave conditions. Enter Sue, brought to life by Margaret Qualley, an alluring and spirited younger version of Elisabeth, who schemes to reclaim her past glory. They must adhere to the stringent terms set by the clandestine purveyors of this miracle drug, though predictably, this fragile balance soon unravels.
The film spirals into a frenzied depiction of Elisabeth's frantic bid to maintain her status, paralleled by Sue's burgeoning dependency on the adulation she receives. This all builds to a climactic finale that redefines the concept of a "bloodbath."
Speaking to CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Fargeat revealed that as she entered her 40s, she grappled with intense thoughts about her diminishing worth and societal interest. This introspection fueled her desire to capture the brutality of societal attitudes towards aging women in her work. "I aimed to stretch boundaries and eschew timidity," she remarked, highlighting how society's harsh standards are internalized.
Demi Moore echoes these sentiments, reflecting on how "The Substance" illuminates the external and internal pressures faced by women. On "The Interview" podcast from The New York Times, Moore recounted personal experiences with Hollywood's stringent beauty ideals, emphasizing the self-imposed torment she endured to conform.
In the film, as Elisabeth and Sue navigate their tumultuous journey, Fargeat envisioned them as embodiments of the inner voices perpetually questioning one’s adequacy, a reflection of societal messaging. Moore also addressed the film's nudity, noting that it was integral to portraying vulnerability and honesty.
The sleek presentation of the Substance, akin to current quick-fix trends like Ozempic, evokes the satirical essence of "Death Becomes Her," soon to grace Broadway. "The Substance" also resonates with themes from classics like "All About Eve," "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and John Carpenter’s "The Thing."
This tightly woven narrative showcases stellar performances from Qualley and Quaid, with Qualley drawing inspiration from her mother, Andie MacDowell's experiences with ageism in Hollywood. "The Substance" garnered acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, securing the best screenplay award and later clinching the Midnight Madness audience prize in Toronto.
"The Substance" is now screening in cinemas.