This Best Picture nominee is wild. For the most part, it’s a fascinating weird and disturbing, but in my view, things go off the rails in the third act—that retroactively colors my impression of the film as a whole. Still, I can’t deny that it’s very interesting and inventive, and it’s wonderfully well crafted.
What’s It About?
In her heyday, Elizabeth Sparkle was a Hollywood sensation. But now, she’s just turned 50, and the world seems to have no use for her anymore. After getting dropped from a long-running fitness show gig, she receives a tip about the Substance, a mysterious injection that allows her to share her life with a second self: “younger, more beautiful, more perfect.” “Sue” is born, and Elizabeth hopes to have a second chance through her, but not everything is smooth sailing with her new and improved version.
Who’s in It?
Demi Moore gives a definite tour de force as Elizabeth. She’s a woman who’s been broken down by a system that unceremoniously toss her out after it was done with her, and she’s at the point where she’ll do anything to hold onto her fading star. Moore serves up horror, dark comedy, and pure rage. Meanwhile, Margaret Qualley plays Sue—I see from IMDb that I’ve seen her in a few things, most notably The Leftovers. She’s very good as well. Her role isn’t as demanding as Moore’s, but she navigates making Sue her own character while imbuing her with an essential “Elizabeth-ness.” Dennis Quaid also appears in the film, chewing up scenery as Elizabeth’s boorish, sleazy producer.
What’s It Nominated For?
The Substance was nominated for five Oscars:
· Best Picture
· Best Leading Actress – Demi Moore
· Best Director
· Best Original Screenplay
· Best Hair & Makeup
What Do I Love About It?
· The design elements are so good. Great use of color, and I love the stark appearance of all the promotion and packaging related to the Substance.
· One of the most interesting aspects of the premise is Elizabeth’s own body doesn’t become temporarily younger under the effects of the Substance. Rather, a young body comes out of her own—Elizabeth’s body is comatose while Sue’s moves through the world and vice versa. All the instructions given to her about the Substance are incredibly clear that 1) both versions are just parts of a single entity and 2) in order to use the Substance successfully, the two bodies need to be in perfect balance, trading off consciousness every seven days. But as the film goes on, it’s harder and harder for both bodies to see it that way. While Elizabeth is initially thrilled, eagerly marking all the “Sue” days on the calendar, it doesn’t take long for her to resent Sue. Meanwhile, Sue doesn’t feel like she should have to give up her own consciousness for the sake of Elizabeth, who she thinks is just wasting the days she gets.
· This film is also an interesting way to look at the body-image struggles of being an aging actress through a sci-fi/horror lens. Even before she takes the Substance, Elizabeth is haunted by her younger self. She’s still beautiful, obviously, but the world is filled with photos and videos from when she was “younger, more beautiful, more perfect.” Sue is just an externalization of the psychological minefield she was already navigating.
· It’s a disturbing film to watch, with tons of body horror and disgusting imagery. That extends, oddly, to how characters are shown eating and drinking. It’s especially true with Dennis Quaid’s character, and we’re treated to revolting shots like a scene of him scarfing down prawns, complete with close-ups of his greasy mouth and the ever-increasing pile of discarded tails. As gross as it is, though, I actually like that aspect of the filmmaking. It highlights how Elizabeth and her body have been treated by Hollywood. When she was in its favor, the industry gorged ravenously on her, and now that she’s gotten older, it’s chewed her up and spit her out. The specific visual techniques are very different, but it sort of reminds me of the opening credits for Dexter. There, the images of Dexter having breakfast and getting ready for the day are filmed in such a way that these mundane acts feel menacing, whereas with The Substance, they feel grotesque.
Warnings
Disturbing imagery, graphic violence, sexual content, language, drinking/smoking, and strong thematic elements (including sexual harassment.)
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