Ariana Longson
Updated on: October 13, 2024 5:16 am GMT
Are societal pressures about beauty and youth driving women to horrific extremes? This unsettling question lies at the heart of Coralie Fargeat’s latest film, The Substance, which has been both praised and criticized since its debut at Cannes. Featuring Demi Moore in a pivotal role, the film dives into dark body horror themes while sparking debates around feminism and the cultural obsession with youth.
The Film’s Plot and Themes
In The Substance, an injectable drug allows fading star Elisabeth Sparkle—played by Demi Moore—to swap bodies with a younger woman, Sue (Margaret Qualley). The film unfolds as Elisabeth, desperate to maintain her youthful appearance, enters into a Faustian deal that leads her down a disturbing path.
The premise hints at exploring the fear of losing one’s identity and the sacrifices women make to uphold societal beauty standards. This thrilling storyline evokes classic horror films like John Frankenheimer’s Seconds and David Cronenberg’s The Fly but takes a feminist twist as it confronts the ageism that women face, especially in Hollywood.
Key themes include:
- The societal pressure on women to remain youthful and beautiful.
- The moral implications of sacrificing one’s identity for society’s approval.
- The impact of a patriarchal system on women’s self-perception and relationships.
The Characters
- Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore): Once a celebrated celebrity, she represents the struggle of women facing ageism. Brief glimpses of her emotional turmoil reveal her desperation to cling to her past glory.
- Sue (Margaret Qualley): Portrayed as the younger counterpart, Sue embodies the challenge of living up to the ideals imposed by a society that prizes youth and beauty above all.
Fargeat’s use of these characters aims to navigate the complexities of female identity in a world that often reduces women to their physical appearance.
Divisive Reception
Since its Cannes premiere, The Substance has proven to be divisive. Critics have expressed a wide range of opinions, reflecting the film’s polarizing narrative and style:
- The film received an 11-minute standing ovation at Cannes, an indication of its appeal to many festival-goers.
- Yet, it also sparked considerable discontent, with numerous viewers walking out during screenings due to its graphic content and length.
One critic noted the film felt “tedious and grating,” largely criticizing its heavy-handed execution of a concept that could have been engaging if presented with more nuance. “After two hours and 20 minutes of flamboyantly repulsive variations on this well-worn theme, even the strongest-stomached and most feminist of viewers could be excused for muttering, ‘We get it already.’”
while The Substance touches on important themes, many viewers felt that the execution lacked depth and left little room for reflection.
Artistic Choices
The film’s artistic direction also sparked discussions. Fargeat employs grotesque body horror techniques, with impressive makeup effects that illustrate the physical deterioration of both women. While some applauded the creativity behind the special effects, others deemed them excessive and distracting from the underlying message.
The choice of music in high-stakes moments also garnered criticism. For example, the incorporation of Bernard Herrmann’s score from Vertigo detracted from the narrative and provoked viewers to reflect on the use of familiar motifs rather than immersing them in the story.
Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity?
While The Substance claims to boldly confront the harsh realities women face regarding age and beauty, critics argue it ultimately falls short of its ambitious goals. Despite the riveting performances, especially from Demi Moore, the film’s repetitiveness and lack of nuanced exploration of its themes left many feeling disappointed.
As audiences and critics continue to dissect The Substance, it’s clear this film has sparked a vital conversation about body horror, feminism, and the damaging beauty standards that persist in society. For some viewers, it might resonate deeply, acting as an unsettling reflection of their fears regarding aging and identity, while for others, it may simply remain a painfully drawn-out horror story that fails to captivate.
Thus, the question remains: can feminist narratives in horror truly resonate without getting lost in excess? Viewers will need to apply their own perspectives to The Substance to determine if it delivers a message worth unpacking.
In the end, whether you’re curious about its bold story or unsure about how it’s made, *The Substance* gets people talking just as much as it scares them. It shows the tricky mix of women’s strength and what society expects from them. Right now, it’s up to you to decide if you want to jump into this strange and creepy story about beauty and fear.
