_The Substance_ aims for impactful moments but ultimately collapses into confusion. The film's graphic depictions become tiresome fairly quickly, and the commentary on society feels so shallow that it eliminates any subtlety the narrative could have possessed. Even with a dedicated performance from the central actor, the story drags, the atmosphere shifts inconsistently between mockery and disorder, and the ending de…

The film presents a disturbing look at advancement and humanity's drive for flawlessness. It is striking to observe, with images so strange they frequently elicit conflicting feelings of excitement and unease. Despite its ambition and occasional moments of genuine discomfort, it falls short of attaining that ideal sense of equilibrium. The storytelling falters on occasion, featuring inconsistencies that lessen the…

While I appreciate unusual movies with psychological depth, dramatic tension, and graphic content, this one was just awful.

This film is simply awful, and it does a disservice to the impressive work histories of Demi Moore and Dennis Quaid; they both merit something considerably better. The narrative seems overly concerned with showcasing Margaret Qualley’s character, Sue, physically, which detracts from any possibility of presenting a worthwhile plot or theme. The excessive violence later on appears like an effort to follow popular st…

"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 ref…

"The Substance" is an arresting cinematic experience that brings back the practical effects prevalent in 1980s horror films, creating a visually and aurally striking work that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The film explores society's preoccupation with youth and the unavoidable passage of time, offering commentary on these ideas through unsettling imagery. The story centers around a well-known actress, portrayed…

This French comedy really hit the spot for me, just like other films from France that I enjoy. Coralie Fargeat took what appeared to be a straightforward narrative about Hollywood’s focus on youth and attractiveness, and managed to turn it into something of a cult classic—a horror film, a late-night showing, a low-budget movie in the best sense of the term. It's truly inspired! At first glance, the plot seems to d…

This movie, *'The Substance,'* is intense. It’s the kind of film that required some time to process before I could even begin writing about it. Honestly, I don’t know where to start. The whole thing feels extreme from its opening moments until the very end of its 140-minute length; there are certain sequences that were genuinely difficult to watch play out! I believe *'Crimes of the Future,'* which came out in 202…

This film builds on Coralie Fargeat's previous work, "Reality+" (2014), but with a much sharper critique of superficiality. “Elisabeth” (Demi Moore) has maintained an impressive fitness level for years until her boss, “Harvey” (Dennis Quaid), decides she’s past her prime and needs to be replaced by a younger model for the television programs featuring attractive, healthy people demonstrating exercises. While dealing …

There's a fine line between being humorous and simply ridiculous, and writer-director Coralie Fargeat’s newest film manages to occupy both spaces. The movie initially builds up considerable positive momentum, but then it carelessly throws that goodwill away in the final act with an extended, wandering, excessively graphic, and frankly unpleasant display of poor taste. This story, centering on an aging actress (Demi M…

It’s difficult to say whether the most captivating aspect of Demi Moore’s work in The Substance is the certainty of an upcoming Best Actress award, or Coralie Fargeat’s exceptionally clever script which seems destined for Oscar recognition.

THE SUBSTANCE opens with an image that’s strikingly appropriate, given its preoccupation with the body: a newly broken egg yolk, vivid and yellow. Isn't it true that eggs represent the start of life? They’re where we all come from. The yolk is shown, full and shining, then abruptly punctured—not by cutlery, but by a needle. It's filled with meaningful, bizarre body horror imagery, and director Coralie Fargeat …

The Substance provides a striking and visually captivating examination of Hollywood’s focus on youthfulness and appearance. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley both give standout performances, possibly among their finest work, with Dennis Quaid also doing well. Coralie Fargeat examines how actresses, especially women, are often cast aside when they no longer fit the industry's rigid ideals of beauty. Moore portrays a wom…