The Substance: Review
In a society that relentlessly scrutinizes women, aging can feel like a sentence of invisibility, a harsh reality that casts a long shadow over those who once shone brightly in the spotlight. In Coralie Fargeat's audacious film The Substance, we encounter this poignant irony through the lens of Demi Moore’s character, Elisabeth Sparkles. Once a celebrated star, she finds herself grotesquely discarded by an industry that values youth above all else, her birthday marking a cruel reminder of the fickle nature of fame.
Elisabeth’s journey serves as a poignant mirror reflecting the harsh reality faced by women as they age, revealing how societal expectations often cast them aside, valuing appearance over lived experience. In this relentless environment, the pursuit of an elusive ideal morphs into a desperate battle, where self-worth becomes entangled in superficial standards of beauty rather than genuine accomplishments. The Substance courageously tackles these themes, peeling back the layers to expose the unsettling truths lurking beneath the surface of fame and the societal pressures that define a woman's worth.
The film opens with a captivating visual metaphor: Harvey, portrayed by Dennis Quaid, is transformed into a grotesque figure through Benjamin Cracun’s fish-eye lens, which magnifies his predatory essence as he voraciously devours shrimp. This unsettling image lays the groundwork for Sparkles' own consumption by an industry that relentlessly seeks youth and beauty above all else. In this merciless realm, aging transcends mere passage of time; it becomes a sentence of erasure, a stark reminder of the fragility of fame.
As the titular Substance enters Sparkles’ life, it becomes a symbol of desperation. Here, we see the lengths to which women will go to reclaim lost youth, ignoring the blaring red flags—an eerie call, a clandestine meeting. It’s a familiar narrative, one that echoes through countless stories of women ensnared by society’s insatiable appetite for beauty. Fargeat crafts this commentary with surgical precision, reminding us of the cyclical nature of such tragic choices.
In The Substance, beauty is synonymous with pain. Moore’s physical transformation is harrowing—skin splits, blood oozes, and the horror escalates in a manner reminiscent of the primal act of childbirth. Yet, amidst this visceral metamorphosis, the character of Sue, portrayed by Margaret Qualley, serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of self-worth in an unforgiving industry. As Sue’s youth captivates, her true essence fades, a tragic reflection of the societal pressures that dictate worth based on appearance.
Fargeat employs the camera to scrutinize Sue, emphasizing body parts in a way that invokes the male gaze, reducing her to mere objects of desire. We’re led to question: what lies beyond the surface? In a world obsessed with youth, Sue’s eager compliance with this ageist culture reveals a tragic irony—she is digging her own grave.
Moore’s portrayal of Sparkles is raw and unflinching. She embraces the extremes of the role, transforming vulnerability into power, even as her character spirals into self-loathing. In a film rich with meta commentary, Moore’s struggles resonate with the real-world scrutiny she has faced, and her commitment to the role is nothing short of inspiring.
The film’s climactic moments crescendo into a thrilling symphony of horror, channeling the audacious spirit of genre legends like Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna. As The Substance races toward its bloody conclusion, it transforms into a rollercoaster of exhilaration—where screams and chaos collide with an electrifying undercurrent of joy. This is a wild ride that grips you tight, leaving you breathless and exhilarated as it dances on the edge of terror and triumph.
Fargeat's narrative boldly explores the challenges of aging, mixing anger with moments of self-discovery. As Sparkles navigates her difficult journey, we catch a glimpse of fragile hope—a flickering candle in the shadows of societal expectations, hinting that freedom might one day be attainable. Until then, we're faced with a powerful warning: the quest for beauty shouldn't lead us into the dangerous world of dubious substances. The Substance reminds us that true beauty is found in embracing our complexities, revealing that within our imperfections, we can uncover our most authentic selves, much like a river carving its path through solid rock.