I’ve set the equipment along my bathroom sink. Firstly, the activator, a green vial to be injected in the arm, secondly, the food packs, one set for me and the other for him, and lastly the switch, for when I just want to sleep for a week. I slowly fill the needle and inject myself. I don’t remember the next five minutes. I wake up blood-soaked and shivering on the freezing tiles. My legs take a few seconds to wake up and I see my ravaged corpse on the ground. I look in the mirror and see the new, better me. He’s so handsome, his hair even more luscious, such bulging shoulders, like plates of armour. His six-pack is so defined. I check him out for a few minutes before glancing back at my surrendered dead body. Well, now that I’ve got my new, better me, I suppose I don’t need that anymore.
The past few days, I’ve been listening to ‘You Must Remember This’, a podcast covering film history. As I’ve been experiencing the ‘Erotic 80s’ season, the host keeps reminding me of a film called ‘The Substance’ starring Demi Moore in the ‘performance of her career’ and directed by Coralie Fargeat. The quotes from magazine reviews are underwhelming, the same generic marketing, but on my day off, I buy a ticket. The poster was so enticingly private, only showing the title in big bold letters. Body horror is definitely my thing and I was not only satisfied but overwhelmed. ‘The Substance’ is one of the most disgusting films I have ever seen and I freaking love it.
Elizabeth Sparkle, a fitness media personality is being booted off her show due to her older age by Harvey, the network executive. After getting into a car crash on the way back to her penthouse, a medical intern hands her a thumb drive with only a phone number. The drive shows her an advertisement for The Substance, a drug that will make an improved you. After a few days, Elizabeth can’t resist, and births Sue, her new, younger alter-ego. However, after Sue starts to bend the rules in her favour, the battle is on to regain full control of not only the body, but the fame.
Demi Moore plays Elizabeth and knocks it out of the park. The review lines, though generic, were absolutely correct. She managed to terrify me into anxiety as she journeys down into madness and jealousy over Sue. She masterfully transitions from a victim you can empathise with to a villain you never want to witness. Margaret Qualley plays Sue, and also delivers a perfect performance. She hits all her marks as an erotic fitness seductress. Her voice is so sweet and her physicality is so demanding, it’s hard not to be caught under her spell. Dennis Quaid plays Harvey and brings so much sick, twisted, fun to the character. Quaid made me believe Harvey had to be based on Vince McMahon, he’s so loud, inconsiderate and shamelessly puts on the corporate “Everything’s fine, so smile!” face. He’s the definition of a villain you love to hate.
Benjamin Kracun’s cinematography is so uncomfortable, it earns this movie a place alongside the greats (like ‘Re-Animator’, ‘Slither’ or ‘Splice’). We all thought Denethor eating in ‘Return Of The King’ was disgusting, but until now, we haven’t seen Dennis Quaid eating prawns or Demi Moore reaching into a raw chicken. Every shot is unbearably close, it’s as if Kracun is ordering us at gunpoint to be disgusted and aroused within mere seconds. Karcun’s power is absolute.
Of course, many will point to the last 30 minutes of the film, and with good cause. It’s nightmare fuel, Cronenberg on steroids. The final shot for instance is so artfully revolting, you want to vomit but you still sympathise No doubt, the last 30 minutes is the reason for the R-rating, most of the film is pretty tame violence-wise and powers through on its remarkable psychological horror, as we watch such an admirable figure demean herself for another few seconds in the spotlight. ‘The Substance’ no doubt cements Fargeat’s name amongst the greats and dethrones Cronenberg from his throne.
Mason’s Top 3 Reasons to Watch ‘The Substance’
- One of the most uncomfortable and disgusting final sequences since ‘Terrifier’
- An assault on the senses, your eyes and ears will be violated
- The best and definitely most haunting performances in all of Moore’s, Qualley’s and Quaid’s careers
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