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The Substance

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The Substance

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Summary

Satirical horror starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. After turning 50, former film star Elisabeth Sparkle suffers a sudden career downturn. She is discreetly offered a mysterious experimental drug designed to arrest the effects of ageing by creating a fresh, new Elisabeth. But using "The Substance" comes with strict rules that neither Elisabeth nor her new younger self, Sue, are entirely prepared to follow.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Emma Simmonds

Planted firmly in the "be careful what you wish for" school of storytelling, this ingenious, outlandish body horror from Coralie Fargeat (Revenge) sees a precariously balanced co-dependence spin out of control. Demi Moore plays actress and fitness guru Elisabeth Sparkle, who has just turned 50 and fallen out of favour. In an extreme bid for youthful lustre, she signs up to a mysterious programme which, through a painful process of cellular division, spews out a younger version of herself, played by Margaret Qualley. The two women must share a life, each getting one week on, one week off, but things quickly become competitive. Admirable in its anger at impossible beauty ideals, The Substance turns intergenerational conflict into a fierce battle for survival, while getting to grips with what motherhood really means. This is bold, bloody film-making delivered with ample chutzpah, featuring an eye-popping palette and a taste for the grotesque - it won an Oscar for its impressive and unsettling make-up and hairstyling. It's courageously performed by Qualley and Moore - the latter, in particular, is horribly good in what could be the role of her career. It'll be too much for many, but those with strong stomachs are in for an unforgettable ride.

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7.2/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameElisabethDemi MooreSueMargaret QualleyHarveyDennis Quaid

Crew

rolenameDirectorCoralie Fargeat

Details

Theatrical distributor

MUBI

Released on

2024-09-20

Languages

English

Guidance

Violence, swearing, sexual references, nudity

Formats

Colour

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