The Substance | TIFF 2024 | Review by: Benjamin Garrett
The Substance delivers body horror in more ways than one. Coralie Fargeat’s shocking sophomore outing is not one for the squeamish. It’s every bit as grotesque as you’ve heard - maybe more so. All that nastiness is crucial, though, in forming this wickedly audacious skewering of Hollywood’s toxic beauty standards.
This movie absolutely oozes confidence through its bold, singular vision. It doesn’t hold anything back with its rabid, in-your face-satire. Subtlety has no place here. Fargeat goes right for the throat with her pointed commentary, not interested in beating around the bush. It’s not an original message, but that doesn’t make it one bit less relevant. What separates The Substance from other movies tackling the same topic, is how absolutely f*cking insane it is.
Every frame in this movie is calculated to serve a purpose. The vibrant, oversaturated palate and symmetrical framing is utilized brilliantly to draw your gaze exactly where it needs to be. The sound design is just as commanding as the visuals. I’m sure the foley artists had a field day with all the fleshy, moist and gnarly sounds they had to come up with to match the insanity occurring on screen. The practical effects are bloody disgusting - and I mean that in the best way possible.
Demi Moore’s performance obliterates anything she’s done before. She absolutely commands the screen as Elizabeth Sparkle - an aging celebrity unwilling to let Hollywood throw her out. She perfectly captures Elizabeth’s anxiety and vulnerability, as she desperately tries to claw back her youth. Her younger counterpart - the alluring and mysterious Sue (Margaret Qualley), represents everything Elizabeth had during her youth, in physicality and stardom. Qualley expertly captures the sex appeal and ambition of a young starlet on the rise. Things get increasingly twisted as the two of them attempt to find balance with the substance and each other.
There are a handful of films that define the body horror sub-genre. The Substance has earned a place among them. This is a delightfully ferocious piece of satire that’s as relevant as it is disgusting. You may want to forego the popcorn during this trip to the theatre.
4/5
