Behind The Substance

What if you could live young forever?

A single injection. A second chance. A perfect, youthful version of yourself, free from wrinkles, pain, and the slow decay of time. Here in The Substance, you can watch the possibility and the promise of eternal youth come at a terrifying cost.

    "The Substance" (2024) is a horror movie directed by Coralie Fargeat. It stars Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle, a former celebrity who is cast aside because of her age. She takes an illegal drug that creates a younger version of herself, but things quickly go wrong. Fargeat turned down the opportunity to direct Marvel's "Black Widow" to focus on her own vision for her body-horror film, which she considered very personal, even though she was "broke" at the time. 

    The movie explores themes like society’s obsession with youth and beauty especially in Hollywood. It uses intense and shocking visuals to make its point. When it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, it got a lot of praise, and Fargeat won the Best Screenplay award. It was later released in theaters in September 2024 by Mubi.  Critics loved Demi Moore’s performance and the film’s strong message. It became one of the most popular movies to rent and buy, ranking high on the Apple TV app.

    Universal originally acquired The Substance but later sold it to MUBI after director Coralie Fargeat refused to change the film’s ending. Fargeat stood firm on her creative vision, unwilling to compromise her vision about the unsettling ending. As a result, Universal opted out, and MUBI stepped in.

    In interviews, director Coralie Fargeat has provided deeper insights into her film "The Substance," highlighting its thematic core and creative process which are:

Exploring Societal Beauty Standards and Control

       Societal beauty standards and the control society impose on women can have a profound impact on various aspects of their lives, influencing both their mental and physical well-being. These standards typically prioritize youth, thinness, smooth skin, and other narrowly defined features as ideals of beauty, which are often promoted through media, advertising, and popular culture. Fargeat describes the film as fundamentally about "the violence of control," addressing how societal beauty standards impose constraints on individuals, particularly women. She emphasizes that these norms can lead to internal conflicts and self-criticism as people want to meet unrealistic expectations.

Personal Reflections on Aging and Appearance

    The director's personal experiences influenced the narrative. At forty, Fargeat struggled with negative thoughts about her appearance and societal relevance which inspired her to confront and express the internalized violence related to age and appearance expectations through the film. 

Symbolism of the 'Substance'

    The titular "substance," an injectable liquid, symbolizes real-life beauty practices like Botox. Fargeat uses it to depict women's autonomy over their bodies, while also critiquing how society often misjudges their choices, regardless of the decisions they make.

Horror Genre as a Medium for Social Commentary

    Fargeat views the horror genre as a powerful tool to creatively and fictionally express and critique societal violence and issues. She believes it helps explore deep-rooted social norms and personal fears deeply.

Visual Storytelling and Practical Effects

    The film is known for its realistic visuals and symbolic settings. Director Fargeat teamed up with cinematographer Benjamin Kracun to create powerful visual stories that highlight themes of sensuality and decay. Along with Pierre-Olivier Persin, they used practical effects like detailed prosthetics and creative backdrops to make the film feel more real and emotionally impactful. The work of makeup artists Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon, and Marilyne Scarselli played a key role in this, and they got an Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

 In my opinion, the Substance encourages women to question and challenge the harmful beauty standards society places on them. The film highlights how damaging these expectations can be by showing the terrible consequences of trying to meet these unrealistic ideals. True empowerment comes from rejecting these standards and embracing your own sense of self that is free from external pressures and need of validation. The film invites women to take control by redefining beauty and worth on their own terms instead of conforming to society’s expectations.

    For a more in-depth understanding, you can watch her discussion with Guillermo del Toro about the film: