The Substance

The Substance is a 2024 body horror film written and directed by Coralie Fargeat.

The Substance is a 2024 body horror film written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. It follows a faded celebrity who uses a black-market drug to create a younger version of herself, leading to increasingly disturbing consequences. The film stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid.

Plot

The film centres on Elisabeth Sparkle, a former celebrity and fitness presenter who is fired because of her age. She turns to a secretive rejuvenation product called The Substance, which creates a younger version of herself named Sue. The existence of Sue depends on strict rules and shared time between the two, but the arrangement leads to violent and psychological consequences.

Production and release

The Substance was written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, her second feature after Revenge. The film was released in 2024 with a runtime of 2 hours 21 minutes, distributed by MUBI. It premiered theatrically in several markets before later becoming available through MUBI's streaming service.

Themes

Critics and reviewers have described The Substance as a satire of Hollywood ageism, cosmetic culture, and the pressure to remain youthful. The story uses body horror and satire to explore ageism, beauty standards, and celebrity culture. The graphic body-horror imagery is employed to dramatize these themes.

Reception

The film received extensive critical attention for its graphic style, performances, and feminist themes. Reviewers were divided on its execution but widely noted its provocative and highly stylized approach. The film is rated R for graphic nudity, gore, language, and strong violent content.