Genre : Body Horror, Satirical Drama

Runtime : 2hr 21min

Language : English

IMDb : 7.2/10

Rotten Tomatoes : 89%

Letterboxd : 4.0/5

Metacritic : 78%

Wikipedia : Link

Director : Coralie Fargeat

Cast

Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid, Diego Garcia, Oscar Lesage, Joseph Balderrama

Plot

The Substance follows Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a once-celebrated fitness instructor whose career declines as she ages. Desperate to reclaim her youth and relevance, she turns to a black-market drug known as “The Substance,” which creates a younger version of herself, Sue (Margaret Qualley). The arrangement is simple: they alternate weeks, each living the other’s life. However, the balance soon unravels as Sue becomes increasingly independent, leading to unforeseen consequences for Elisabeth. The film delves into themes of vanity, identity, and the societal pressures faced by women in the entertainment industry. Directed by Coralie Fargeat, the movie combines elements of body horror with satirical commentary, drawing comparisons to works by David Cronenberg. Critics have lauded the film for its audacious storytelling and Moore’s compelling performance, though some have noted its over-the-top style may not appeal to all audiences.