The Substance, winner of Best Screenplay at Cannes and currently showing at the Toronto International Film Festival, is a visceral, dark look at society’s obsession with youth and beauty. Directed by Coralie Fargeat, this grotesque tale dives deep into the extremes women endure to stay desirable, exposing both Hollywood’s glamour and its grim underbelly.
At the center of the story is Elisabeth Sparkle (played by Demi Moore), a former star known for her beauty and fitness fame. On her 50th birthday, she’s abruptly dismissed by her chauvinistic boss, Harvey (Dennis Quaid), whose performance is so slimy it leaves you wondering if he’s in on the irony.
Depressed and struggling with body image, Elisabeth tries an illegal drug called “The Substance,” which promises to bring out a younger, more appealing version of herself. This drug’s effect is literal—she “births” Sue (Margaret Qualley) from her own spine, a clone who’s youthful, beautiful, and brimming with confidence. Despite a warning that they must switch bodies every seven days to avoid physical decay, Elisabeth becomes addicted to Sue’s new body and the attention it draws. Her desire to remain in Sue’s form only grows, even as her own body deteriorates.
The Substance doesn’t hold back on its critique of beauty standards. Fargeat uses extreme close-ups, unnerving prosthetics, and grotesque imagery to show the toll of obsession and self-objectification. As Elisabeth and Sue grapple for control, Moore and Qualley give raw, intense performances, physically embodying the desperate need for validation and youthful admiration. They capture the horror and humor of this body-swapping nightmare, each portraying a different side of desire and vanity.
The film is packed with nods to horror classics, like the Overlook Hotel’s hallway from The Shining and Vertigo‘s score, heightening the tension and underscoring the madness of trying to become “someone young and beautiful.” In its explosive third act, The Substance pushes boundaries with blood-soaked visuals, intense body horror, and a chaotic descent into obsession. Fargeat’s film leaves an unsettling impression, showing the toxic lengths women sometimes feel compelled to pursue, only to be discarded once they lose their “shine.”
With unfiltered gore and a biting message about self-worth and public adoration, The Substance is not for the faint-hearted. It boldly critiques the relentless pressure to meet impossible beauty standards.
