Body horror at its finest, most fucked up and entertaining.
Taking visual cues from Stanley Kubrick and special effects from the maestro of b horror, David Cronenberg this ups the ante and goes where you won’t imagine.
So strap in and let French director, Coralie Fargeat (Revenge) take you on a hilarious satirical journey on ageing, the fetishisation of youth and commentary on self worth.
This was the closing film at this year’s, the 71st Sydney Film Festival, and fair play to the organisers for picking it. This is not for the faint hearted and if you get, in any way, squeamish about the body and gore of any kind, please give this a miss. You have been warned.
Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle in The Substance
Demi Moore makes the comeback of comebacks playing Elisabeth Sparkle, a one time star, who is being forced out of the industry by her age (It’s still me!!!!!) and is given a hard drive entitled The Substance that upon viewing is promised a chance at a better version of herself and, like many who go down the plastic surgery route IRL, she grasps at the branch of youth with the verve of a thirsty desert dweller.
Years ago, I saw a film called Society that this reminds me of. I love it when horror makes social statements and The Substance makes a powerful and important one about the fear of ageing especially to women and women in the spotlight.
I get why they would have cosmetic work done, they are surrounded by beauty that they are constantly having to compete with but age will not be beaten, it’s a losing battle.
I’m not telling you anything else apart from the acting is fabulous, from Demi Moore, the talented Margaret Qualley and the always sturdy Dennis Quaid, here having an absolute riot playing an absolute knob.
A Warning…….
The cinematography by Benjamin Kračun owes much to the sensibility of Kubrick and the music supervised by Guillaume Baurez is pulsing, driving and intense and fits perfectly with the images.
The Substance won Best Screenplay at Cannes this year and I’m not surprised, it seems like the kind of film that the folk at Cannes would love having recently been wowed by Julie Ducournau’s Titane.
What is it with the French and body horror, they loved Crash as well, it premiered there and won the Special Jury Prize.
Maragret Qualley in The Substance
I loved this film, it is so balls out or tits out crazy that it deserves the accolades. It is also a horror film, which rarely get the kind of critical recognition they deserve.
Strap in and bring a sick bag, it’s going to be rough if you have a weak stomach.
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