The Substance
★★★★
Let’s get one thing straight: The Substance is not a film you casually watch while scrolling on your phone. No, this one demands—and seizes—your full attention, gripping you with its grotesque, shocking and undeniably unforgettable imagery. It’s a body horror film that takes clear inspiration from The Fly, Requiem for a Dream, and even The Shining, crafting a modern nightmare about a woman’s relationship with her body and the relentless male gaze in Hollywood.
From the start, it’s clear that director Coralie Fargeat wants to make a statement—and wow, does she ever. There’s no subtlety here, and that’s by design. The film repeatedly (and unapologetically) hammers home its message about beauty standards, objectification and the impossible expectations placed on women. The result? A cinematic fever dream filled with food, slime, blood and nudity, all woven together in a relentless, almost hypnotic fashion.
At nearly two and a half hours, The Substance stretches its shocking premise to the limit. There’s an undeniable feeling of, "Yes, we get it," as the film progresses, but perhaps that’s the point. We already know how women’s bodies are commodified—yet, as a society, we continue reinforcing these pressures. The movie doesn’t just want you to understand this; it wants you to never forget it.
And speaking of unforgettable—Demi Moore is absolutely giving it her all in this film. There’s already Oscar buzz around her performance, and while she’s excellent, I can’t help but wonder if this is also a recognition of her overall career. But let’s not overlook Margaret Qualley, who is just as present and powerful in the film. She embodies her role with haunting precision, proving once again why she’s one of the most compelling actors working today.
That said, if you have a weak stomach, consider yourself warned—this movie is not for the squeamish. But if you’re up for a cinematic experience that is daring, different and innovative, The Substance is worth a watch. Will I ever sit through it again? Probably not. But I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
Love it or hate it, The Substance refuses to be ignored—and in that, it succeeds brilliantly.
