The Substance (2024)

"Come on, they're gonna love you so much. 
You're the only lovable part of me, you have to come back." 

An incredible film made by a woman, for women. I went to see this with a friend because I was absolutely sure that this was a film I needed to see in theaters, and I'm so glad that I did. I'm glad I went to see it with her, too, because I'm pretty sure I spent a good quarter of the movie looking at her instead of the screen because I was so terrified. 

I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into this, I hadn't gathered much from the trailers. I must say, I was genuinely so shocked, horrified, and impressed. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley's performances were absolutely stunning, they did such a fantastic job in their respective roles. It especially hits hard after seeing all of Demi Moore's recent interviews about beauty standards and ageing as someone who was in the spotlight beginning at a young age. 

The introduction to the film is great representation and foreshadowing, showcasing the single egg yolk becoming two. It's also interesting, as later on we see in the film two separate eggs, with two separate yolks. The symbolism here is so fascinating when analyzing the movie. In adddition, the symbolism of the constantly contrasting colors is also quite intriguing. Also the fact that most of the men are older men who are unbothered and disregard their appearance because it truly does not matter for them was a really good detail that was included. 

I was unaware of just how much body horror would be included, and while it all made me squirm and uncomfortable, it definitely accomplished what I, personally, believe it was trying to convey in showcasing the extreme lenghts women go to in order to fit into society and become what once was. 

Demi Moore actually stated in a press interview for this film, regarding how it took a toll on how she views herself, that it's shifted her focus from looking at what "needs to be fixed" and "what could be" to "what is" and what is, is okay. I love that, and I think that Elisabeth could have really used this advice prior to what follows in the film. 

Throughout the film, we are reminded that both Elisabeth and Sue are the same person, and that "There is only one." Both actresses do a fantastic job at trying to make us forget that they are, in fact, the same person and not two separate individuals living two separate lives, although that's what it seems. The constant battle between Elisabeth and Sue and each of their struggles with the other, which in itself is just a mind game of the original, is absolutely brilliant of Coralie Fargeat. It really showcases the inner battle that women struggle with every day; everything from wanting to induldge in a few extra calories, then hating yourself for it later, to wanting to be admired, but feeling as if you're not "pretty" enough by society's standards. The juxtaposition, which is all this film really is at the end of the day, is truly genius. 

I must also mention the specific scene of Demi Moore addressing herself in the mirror; there are so many well-executed "female rage" moments in cinema that occur when looking at their own reflection, and this is definitely added to that list, dare I say one of the best well-done. Multiple reviews, with my own included, have stated just how sad it was watching Elisabeth tear herself apart, hyper-focusing on every little "flaw," where clearly Fred and the rest of us could see nothing other than the beautiful Elisabeth Sparkle. It really goes to show that we see ourselves on a deeper level and perspective than those on the outside world, and although we know this, it's so hard to tear away from that mindset. An all-too-relatable scene, that is definitely Emmy-worthy in itself for the gorgeous on the inside and outside Demi Moore. 

The ending lost me a little bit, in which the final act escalates at such a rapid pace and with extremity. So much was happening all at once, I was just trying to follow what was going on; but in this situation, I think it works. We really get to see Sue's desperation and the consequences of acting impuslively. The illustration of whatever outcome of prior behaviors resulting in truly just wanting to go back to "what once was" is a great representation of wanting more and losing everything. I find it truly remarkable towards the end that we see the epiphany that nothing was ever truly wrong, and the yearn for wanting to go back to where we started. 

The morbid and saddening calls of "Guys, it's me" is so truly heartbreaking. I think it's also great at posing the question: Who really are you at this point? It reminds me of the Ship of Theseus metaphor of if you take a boat and slowly replace every single part of it, is it still the same boat, or is it an entirely new one? Something that's up to the audience to decipher on their own merits. 

Immediately one of my top watches of the year, and probably ever. The symbolism, the juxtaposition in comparing the two, the internal struggles, the cinematography, the plot twists, and the artistic choices really blew me away. This is definitely a film I'd recommend to friends to watch and would happily sit down to enjoy again. Truly a five star film that I almost considered moving into my top four because of just how much it changed me after watching; it's been a while since I've had to sit with a film after seeing it and truly made me reflect on what I'd watched and how it applies. There will definitely be audiences that take away the wrong message from what was conveyed and audiences that will understand what was trying to be shown; which one viewers will fall into, I think it depends on what they prioritize. We can see the outcome of prioritizing one viewpoint over the other, in which some viewers may say it was worth it in the end. All I know is, the decision to watch this film in theaters on the big screen definitely was one that paid off.