"Exploring 'The Substance': Insights into Demi Moore's Impressive New Cinematic Offering"
Upon closer examination, this sophomoric effort from French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat (whose first endeavor, 2017's "Revenge," was celebrated by critics) is a self-aware and feminist cautionary tale that vividly portrays the hazards of mindlessly pursuing youth.
The film's narrative backbone is straightforward: renowned actress and fitness guru Elisabeth Sparkle (portrayed by Demi Moore in a bombastic display) boasts a star on the Walk of Fame and a popular workout program. The story begins with her 50th birthday celebration, only to discover that she's being terminated by her boss Harvey (Dennis Quaid), a detestable and vulgar showbiz bigwig.
As Elisabeth grows increasingly dejected, she encounters a clandestine drug known as the Substance, which promises to restore her youth and vigor – albeit with some caveats. Enter Sue, played by Margaret Qualley, a voluptuous and vivacious younger "alter ego" who intends to revive Elisabeth's former prominence. However, they must adhere to a few non-negotiable rules, as dictated by the secretive corporation that provides the Substance. Unsurprisingly, the balance doesn't endure for long.
The ensuing sequence showcases Elisabeth's manic quest to maintain her status, opposite Sue's growing dependence on the admiration she receives from those around her. It culminates in a climactic act that redefines the term "bloodbath."
In an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Fargeat revealed that as she aged into her 40s, she started having "crazy, violent thoughts that my life was going to end, that no one would be interested in me anymore, that I wouldn't have any value. And I truly realized how violent and powerful those thoughts were."
Fargeat continued by stating that she wanted the movie to express the violence prevalent in how society depicts and portrays women, leading to the graphic nature of the content. "I wanted to push the limits, and not hold back. This is how we internalize so much violence. This is how sickening and extreme it is."
Moore weighed in on the subject, stating that "The Substance" not only highlights the abuse that society and the world inflict on aging women, but the self-abuse that women and men inflict upon themselves as well.
"There was a more stringent standard of beauty that existed, and I did...personally experience being told to lose weight on quite a few films before I ever even had children," Moore recently recounted in "The Interview" podcast from The New York Times. "Those were humiliating experiences, but the true violence was what I was doing to myself, the way in which I tortured myself, did extreme crazy exercise, weighed and measured my food because I was attributing all of my value to how my body was, how it looked, and giving other people's opinions more power than myself."
Fargeat later explained that she intended the two characters, Elisabeth and Sue, to symbolize the various voices within us that can be incredibly violent and conflictual, whispering harmful thoughts such as "You're not good enough, you're not beautiful enough, you're not sexy enough," because this is continuously drummed into our heads and seen in society.
Moore also addressed the film's nude scenes, which didn't come across as gratuitous. "Going into it, it was definitely spelled out...the level of vulnerability and rawness that was really required to tell the story," she said. "And it was a very vulnerable experience and required a lot of sensitivity and a lot of conversation about what we were trying to achieve."
The sophisticated packaging for the Substance, which involves injections, reflects the temporary fix appeal of present-day trends such as Ozempic, and brings to mind the now-famous dark comedy "Death Becomes Her" from 1992, which starred Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn, soon to be revived as a Broadway musical.
"The Substance" might be reminiscent of certain well-known titles, yet manages to feel fresh and distinctive. Qualley and Quaid, who often discuss the pressures of aging in Hollywood, deliver standout performances.
"The Substance" received critical acclaim upon its debut at the Cannes Film Festival this year, earning a nomination for the Palme d'Or and winning the best screenplay award. Earlier this month, it took home the Midnight Madness people's choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“The Substance” is currently playing in theaters.
The film's exploration of societal pressures and the pursuit of youth transforms into a captivating entertainment spectacle, engaging audiences in its provocative themes. Elisabeth's obsession with maintaining her status and Sue's struggle with identity become compelling aspects of the film's overall entertainment value.
