Review: The Substance

20 November, 2024 William Eguizabal 0 Comments 1 category

Title: The Substance
MPA Rating: R
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Starring: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid
Runtime: 2 hrs 21 mins

What It Is: Fitness star Elizabeth Sparkle has been a television staple for years. Now in her 50s, she’s searching for ways to keep the spotlight on her. When she learns about a mysterious serum known only as The Substance, she’s both cautious and curious about the enigmatic process it involves. Ultimately, she decides that taking The Substance is the right move. But little does she know, her choice will set off a chain of consequences she could never have imagined.

What We Think: What. A. Picture. This film does not pull any punches and is quite possibly the best of the year—not just as a standout in cinema, but as arguably the finest horror film in a sea of fantastic entries.

Demi Moore is a revelation. Margaret Qualley might have delivered the best performance of her career—fierce, determined, and living life to its fullest. Moore’s Sparkle is a character you know: the aging former star, desperate to reclaim the youth and glory she’s lost. Meanwhile, Sue becomes the embodiment of ambition gone awry, a leech willing to do whatever it takes to keep Elizabeth out.

Coralie Fargeat’s messaging is straightforward, but her execution is complex and impeccably timed. Known for her bold storytelling, she doesn’t hold back here, just as she didn’t in Revenge, a wild and unapologetic exploration of vengeance.

There’s so much packed into this film—so much I can’t even begin to detail until you watch it yourself. Demi Moore is so deeply in her element that I’m desperate to see her earn a nomination… though we know it won’t happen. The same goes for Fargeat. Both deserve recognition, but the ongoing bias against horror is glaringly obvious by now.

And for the record, I’m not even a huge horror fan.

Our Grade: A+, Getting right to it this is one of the years best films. The last 30 or so minutes might be the most insane thing put on screen all year. It comes out of nowhere but if you know anything about the messaging of the film you know that this is a really slick storytelling device. One that gets to the heart of what Fargeat is trying to say as a writer. If you missed this one in theaters I’m sorry to hear that. It’s available to watch below thanks to our new partner Just Watch. Click the link below to try a seven day free trial. It helps us out and it’ll make sure you see one of the years best pictures. You are one. Try the Substance.