The Substance (2024) Review – A Grotesque, Satirical Body Horror Masterpiece
The Substance: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A stunningly ambitious and visceral body horror that serves as a biting satire of Hollywood’s obsession with youth. Coralie Fargeat crafts a relentless, high-energy nightmare that manages to be both deeply tragic and hilariously grotesque. Supported by career-best work from Demi Moore and a fearless performance from Margaret Qualley, the film balances its disparate themes with incredible finesse. While the final act descends into absolute, blood-soaked madness that may prove divisive, it is a bold and uncompromising vision that cements itself as one of the best horror offerings of the year. A 4.5-star triumph of practical effects and social commentary.
Details: Director: Coralie Fargeat | Cast: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid | Runtime: 2h 21m | Release Date: 20 September 2024
Best for: Fans of extreme body horror, lovers of satirical social commentary, and anyone who appreciates practical effects over CGI.
Worth noting: The film won the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival and has been widely praised for its use of over 21,000 litres of fake blood.
Where to Watch: Amazon🛒
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
(Exceptional practical effects, bold performances, masterfully paced)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. We are checking out a brand-new movie today – Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance.
Table of Contents
Works far better than it should!
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.
“The Substance is pure chaos and it really shouldn’t work so damn well.”
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.
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 falseness, the identity issues, and the self-obsession of the people contained within that world. Before blowing it up, laughing at it, turning it into a huge, grotesque, malformed monster, and then pulling 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 disparate 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.
“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, too. She puts her all into what is a fairly complex and hyper-sexed role.
“The last 20 minutes or so are absolutely wild… the movie just goes completely nuts, almost to the level of a fever dream.”
Everyone is excellent. Practical effects are exceptional. There is a certain 80s 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 or 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. In my opinion, it works 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.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Demi Moore: A truly brave and career-defining performance that captures both the physical and psychological toll of her character’s desperation.
- Practical Effects: The makeup and prosthetics are world-class, harking back to the best of 80s body horror without relying on distracting CGI.
- Pacing: Despite a runtime exceeding two hours, the film never drags, maintaining a frantic and engaging energy throughout.
The Bad
- The Finale: The absolute insanity of the final twenty minutes may be too “out there” for viewers who prefer a more grounded resolution.
- Extreme Content: The sheer level of grotesque imagery and nudity will understandably limit the film’s appeal to a mainstream audience.
The Ugly: The “Shrimp Scene.” If you weren’t already repulsed by the body horror, the sound design and close-up of Dennis Quaid eating is enough to turn any stomach.
Should You Watch The Substance?
You absolutely must check this out. It is a rare horror film that feels entirely fresh and original while honouring the classics of the genre. If you have the stomach for extreme body horror and a desire for smart, biting satire, The Substance is the best experience you will have with a movie this year.
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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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