"The Substance" feels like a combination of different ideas put together. Initially, the plot brings "Death Becomes Her," with Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis, to mind. Both films explore the dangerous pursuit of everlasting youth within Hollywood's aging circles. However, the way this story is told differs significantly. This film is noticeably louder, flashier, more blunt, coarser, and less refined than the earlier movie—a considerable difference. There are also elements reminiscent of Lovecraft’s work, which create a sense of grotesqueness, monstrosity, and unease. It's more about visual inventiveness than delivering a deeply engaging story. The film communicates its ideas through exaggerated youthfulness and glamour, but also reveals an underlying superficiality. This shallowness traps those caught within it, preventing any real connection with others. My one reservation regarding what I consider to be a very good movie is that it pushes too far. It becomes so extreme toward the end that it obscured the message it had previously communicated effectively. The final scenes specifically felt unsubtle and would have been better handled with more restraint and finesse. Ultimately, "The Substance" is an inventive film that uses its visuals to highlight how appearances are prioritized over substance, especially in Hollywood. People become mere objects, easily discarded when their image fades. Youth and beauty reign supreme, regardless of the cost. It's not a flawless experience; it can be excessive at times, particularly as it progresses. Nevertheless, there’s much to appreciate here overall. It is certainly worth watching.

Source on TMDB