when i say SubstanceThe film starring Demi Moore that took the Cannes by storm is bloody, that’s an understatement. How much blood do you think there can be in this movie and double it? No, triple it. At one point during the runtime you’ll think you’ve seen the goriest part, but just wait. It gets bloody.
And yet the blood isn’t even part of this wonderfully nonsensical body horror spectacular that nearly made me vomit. It’s a symphony of slithering flesh that will probably make you both laugh. The audience at my Cannes press screening certainly did. We screamed, gasped, and applauded. It’s the grossest thing you’ll see all year.
Also of Bloody, directed by Coralie Farguet Revenge, the film is quite simple at its core. Moore, who is locked into her role, is Elizabeth Sparkle, a fading star of a so-called workout empire. brighten your life, Where she shakes her butt like Jane Fonda. But he is also sad. Hollywood—or the fake version of ’80s Hollywood that Fargate has created—is drowning him out. An executive not incongruously named Harvey and played with disarming enthusiasm by Dennis Quaid seeks to replace him. (An early bad moment involves Quaid eating shrimp with his mouth closed.)
After getting into a car accident, while staring blankly at her shattered billboard, a nurse who looks like she’s been run through an Instagram filter passes her a flash drive introducing her to “The Substance,” with a note saying “It changed my life.” She sees the promo, which promises to make you new, younger, and better by unlocking your DNA. Of course, there are caveats: You must remember that despite having two bodies you’re still one person. You must stabilize yourself daily using spinal fluid. And you must switch every seven days.
Desperate, she tries and retrieves her kit from a locker in a dingy white room from a dirty address. Once she injects herself, a second image of her, played by Margaret Qualley, emerges from her back, standing taut where Elizabeth crouches. (Although Moore looks amazing, it should be noted.) This new Elizabeth sews up the back of her maker – Farguet makes sure you hear the sound of the needle hitting the skin as well as see it. Then, revealing herself to be Sue, the other woman heads to the casting call, where she is immediately selected as Elizabeth’s replacement. Naturally, love and validation means Sue begins abusing the rules of The Substance, worsening Elizabeth’s condition. First of all, it’s one of her fingers that dries up like a 90s woman. Then there is this and much more.
The two halves of one whole begin to bicker and abuse each other, but the disembodied voice on the other end of The Substance’s phone number constantly reminds them that they are, in fact, the same person. They have only themselves to blame for any indiscretions. Because ultimately, Substance It is about a woman who hates herself for not getting love and will do anything to get the recognition she craves for her beauty.
The message may be obvious at times in the film, and is hammered home by the fact that this all exists in an alternate, one-dimensional universe, where celebrity is defined by “the morning show” and when a girl When Su appears out of nowhere, no one asks questions. And yet the horror is so creative and exaggerated, you don’t mind the lack of world building. Similarly, while the script doesn’t care much about Elizabeth’s backstory, you can see the frustration on Moore’s face as she grapples with her own insecurities. One of the best moments of the entire film involves no strange smell, but simply Moore getting ready for a date, constantly changing her makeup.
Still, yes, it’s the gore that makes Substance It’s worth seeing whether you end up loving it or hating it. The visual effects and prosthetics work is astonishing in its gruesomeness. For example, when Qualley feels something in her butt and then eventually pulls a chicken leg out of her navel, it’s really sad.
Fargit has made a film about beauty that is completely ugly because of the deformities of the human body. I suppose some would argue that this unfairly punishes Elizabeth for her vanity, but there is also redemption in disgusting contradictions. Still, come prepared. You may need an ice bag.
