The Substance: The Most Gruesome Horror Ever—Coralie Fargeat Knows No Limits in This Unforgettable Nightmare!
September 13, 2024
The Substance, written and mercilessly directed by Coralie Fargeat, is a wickedly grotesque exploration of the complexities within the anti-aging industry. While the film is controversial, it’s important to avoid using it as a mere capsule for judgment. Demi Moore delivers a powerful performance, and Margaret Qualley stands out in a tautly executed climax. Dennis Quaid delivers the most perfect rendition of a politically incorrect shrimp, so much so that it gave me an allergic reaction—making him a real eyesore.
Let’s recap the madness: a parasitic birth unfolds as Sue (Margaret Qualley) makes her grand exit from her host, Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), like a parasite on an all-you-can-eat buffet! All because she took “THE SUBSTANCE” from a whacked-out alley garage. Impeccable and so brave of you, Elizabeth Sparkle! A quick camera shift captures a convulsion waiting to happen, following a close-up of shrimp spewing from crooked lips, snow inexplicably falling in LA, and Margaret Qualley strutting in a sultry leather jumpsuit. Then there are 3, 4, or was it 5 intertwined pupils in one eye? And Demi Moore’s old, withered fingers, desperately pleading for this insanity to end but ultimately surrendering because—remember, they are ONE! Who am I kidding? Carolie is all about chaos! If Carolie ever reads this, I want to ask her: did she wake up one day and decide, 'Hey, I’ll put everyone else to shame and redefine the body horror genre—making it mine!'?
They say misery loves company, and this film takes that to a whole new level. Yes, I’m aware this is all completely out of order—welcome to the wild ride this film delivers! You've lost all sense of sequence and reason, struggling to comprehend the glorious madness you just witnessed! Keep in mind, I saw this film a month ago at Beyond Fest, and I can’t stop thinking about it. It was the pre-screening that kicked off the festival! Before the screening began, we were warned that anyone who needed to take a breather or exit the theater in an orderly fashion was welcome to do so, as this film provokes every phobia and fear imaginable. EMT was on standby! The crowd was engulfed in it, fully immersed in the experience, which made me question what horror really is. Everything I’d seen before The Substance clearly wasn’t!
But you, dear reader, absolutely must see it. I insist! If Nicole Alicia Xavier can brave this wild ride, then you can definitely suck it up! Now, let’s all bow down and revel in the horror goddess that is Coralie Fargeat! Oh, and a round of applause for MUBI—well done!
