The Substance (2024) Movie Review - 31 Days of Halloween 2024

Welcome to Knockout Horror and to Day 2 of our 31 Days of Halloween 2024 Movie Review feature. We are checking out a brand new movie for the 2nd of October – Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance. These reviews are going to be much shorter and to the point. Something which I will be carrying through into the future, as well.

The Substance follows ageing starlet Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) as she attempts to navigate her life post fame. Elisabeth used to host a popular exercise show but now her boss, Harvey (Dennis Quaid), wants to replace her with someone younger.

After being involved in a car crash, a nurse at the hospital leaves her a note informing her of a miracle “substance”. The substance could change her life by giving her a younger, better, version of herself for 7 days at a time. Something which Elisabeth is intrigued by, little realising the horrifying side effects to come.

It Really Shouldn’t Work

The Substance is part satire, part body horror, part comedy, and part gross out movie. Fargeat takes an intimate look at the cult of celebrity and all of the demands that come along with it. Puts a spotlight on the fakeness, the identity issues and the self obsession of the people contained within that world. Blows it up, laughs at it, turns it into a huge, grotesque, malformed monster and then pulls its fingernails off in front of the mirror. The Substance is pure chaos and it really shouldn’t work so damn well.

Somehow, all of those drastically different themes manage to come together perfectly. The Substance is one of the most satisfying horror movies to release in a very long time. Sure, it isn’t scary but it really isn’t trying to be. It is trying to gross you out; it is trying to make you laugh and it is trying to shock you. All of which it manages to do with spectacular finesse. This is a brilliant movie in so many ways.

The Best Horror of 2024?

The body horror elements are fantastic. Fargeat exposes you to every part of her characters and demands you look at them intently. Brave performances by Demi Moore (still looking sensational in 2024 at age 61) and Margaret Qualley leave nothing to the imagination. Brilliantly exposing the issues of body image that come with ageing. The contrast between the sexually alluring and “washed up and past it” are on stark display. Leaving no doubt as to the motivations of Elisabeth.

Although body horror is a frequent subject in the genre, it is rarely done with this much intimacy and examination into the inevitable negative parts of growing older. Along with the psychological issues that come along with it. It’s a lesser focused on element but, just when you think you know what to expect, Fargeat hits you with the gore and toe curlingly grotesque deforming of the human body.

The Substance features some of the most disgusting moments in body horror history and it is bloody brilliant. Not the worst I have ever seen but, combined with the frequent nudity and examination of the human body, easily some of the most effective. Fargeat plays the hits here and there. But there’s also plenty of new and original ways to gross the viewer out.

More Than Just Body Horror

The Substance has so much more to offer than simply the superficial aspects of the human body and its decay. This is a movie with a lot to say. There is a strong commentary on celebrity and ageism and some powerful messages. But it’s also extremely funny with Demi Moore and Dennis Quaid turning in legitimately hilarious and pitch perfect performances. It makes you laugh often and is utterly enjoyable due to that fact. 

Fargeat’s direction is perfect. Coming in at a very long 2 hours plus. The Substance is perfectly paced. It feels far shorter than it is and still leaves you wanting more as it begins to draw to a close. Cinematography is inspired and consistently creative throughout. Every shot is well considered and designed to draw you into the minds of the characters. Something which other movies fail to achieve. The Substance never insults the viewer. There is no excess of exposition. You are left to understand the characters purely by their actions. No additional words are needed.

Technically Great

Acting is solid, throughout. This might be the best I have ever seen Demi Moore perform. She totally gets her character and her line delivery is perfect, not to mention her facial expressions which consistently inform you on her character’s state of mind. Margaret Qualley is fantastic. Everyone is excellent. Practical effects are exceptional. There is a certain 80’s vibe to some of the effects here and I love it. There is no use of CGI where it’s not needed and that is something that really deserves praise.

I should point out that the last 20 minutes are so are absolutely wild. I can see them being a little bit divisive as the movie just goes completely nuts. Almost to the level of a fever dream. I thought it worked pretty well but some people are going to absolutely hate it. It’s just so damn bizarre and crazy. It would be irresponsible of me to not mention it.

Should You Watch The Substance?

You definitely need to watch The Substance. Whether you are a body horror fan, a fan of satirical comedy horror, a fan of gross out movies. Whatever, you just need to check it out. Oddity was my pick for best horror of 2024 but I think The Substance has surpassed it. Acting is fantastic, effects are brilliant, pacing is perfect, direction is spot on, it’s funny, it’s compelling. The only caveats I can offer are cautionary to people who dislike grotesque body horror and a ton of nudity. The Substance is a highly sexualised movie in its lampooning of the entertainment industry, as a whole, and Fargeat cuts no corners. Expect full nudity and a lot of crotch, ass and boob shots. If you are okay with that, go watch it as soon as possible. It’s fantastic.

Our Scoring Philosophy: A Fair Fight

Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.

A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.

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