The Punk-Rock Horror of Youth Worship
IMDb rating: 7/10
The Substance is a gleeful, gory blast at ageism, beauty, and Hollywood’s cruelty. Demi Moore is fearless as Elisabeth Sparkle, a washed-up aerobics star who tries a secret serum that creates her younger self (Margaret Qualley)… but they must swap bodies every seven days or face revolting decay.
Moore is bruised brilliance; Qualley is fierce and styled uncannily like Moore in her 1980s breakout years – a perfect touch that makes their shared identity both seductive and threatening. Dennis Quaid is pitch-perfect as a smarmy, predatory TV host, oozing charisma which curdles into menace.
Director Coralie Fargeat mixes biting satire with outrageous body horror. The last 20 minutes go gloriously (maybe needlessly) overboard, but it’s unforgettable. Not always in a good way. Felt like a cop-out
Verdict: a punk-rock, stomach-turning takedown of youth worship, powered by three lead performances that don’t blink. 7/10: not for the faint-hearted, but you’ll be talking about it for days. Would be 8/10 if you like the climax+end.
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