An award-winner already following its’ debut at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Coralie Fargeat’s THE SUBSTANCE has already created major buzz, both on the release circuit and also heightening Demi Moore’s potential as a future Oscar nominee as the awards season kicks into gear.
Demi Moore is back in the swing of things as Elisabeth Sparkle, a seemingly-successful TV morning workout guru who hits the right parts and then some. However, sleazy big-mouthed executive Harvey (Dennis Quaid in one of his best ever roles) wants a younger version and doesn’t waste time offloading Elisabeth who hides in her penthouse suite. After a shock accident which miraculously doesn’t cause her too much trouble, a doctor hands her in passing a USB which reveals a new drug-cum-protein revolution called ‘The Substance’.
The name of the game is creating a new better version of yourself, provided you follow the rules. In this case, seven days as your better self before reverting back to your original self. In Elisabeth’s case, it manifests itself in the younger and more sultry Sue (Margaret Qualley, perfect foil to Moore).
This works OK for a while as both Elisabeth and Sue start to benefit as Sue claims the morning show and soon becomes a sensation. However, Sue’s desire to retain her youth starts to grate on Elisabeth when she sees the cause and consequence of using ‘The Substance’…..
Echoing David Cronenberg’s early science-gone-wrong ventures from SHIVERS through to DEAD RINGERS, coupled with the likes of Brian Yuzna’s SOCIETY and John Carpenter’s THE THING, fused with a visual style reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s THE SHINING and A CLOCKWORK ORANGE in terms of theme and ideas, THE SUBSTANCE is nothing new in terms of the set-up and pay-off to more astute fans, but the joy is clearly evident throughout its’ 140 minute running time.
The climax of the film might be too much for the more squeamish amongst you, but the cheerful black humour of the film more than offsets the gore prevalent throughout. First and foremost, this is Demi Moore’s vehicle and a validation-cum-vindication for her evident talent and a career of four decades plus.
THE SUBSTANCE is released in cinemas from September 20th, 2024