The Substance’ Review: Gore-Filled Body Horror That Misses Its Deeper Message”
By Corbin Johnson
Our third film on our Oscars watchlist is The Substance, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. Imagine a mix of The Human Centipede (no, I’m not recommending you watch it—please, don’t) and Frankenstein. The story follows a fitness trainer who takes a drug designed to unlock a younger version of herself. However, instead of simply reversing aging, the drug creates an entirely new “you” from within your DNA—leading to a grotesque transformation, where (brace yourself) the new version literally hatches out of your body, like a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly. If you can handle gore, you’ll probably enjoy this film. But if extreme body horror isn’t your thing, I’d recommend skipping it.
Demi Moore delivers a powerhouse performance as Elisabeth Sparkes, a woman struggling to conform to society’s impossible beauty standards. With four decades in the industry, Moore reminds us just how skilled she is. Meanwhile, rising star Margaret Qualley, who plays Sue—the younger version of Elisabeth—gives a mind-bending performance. She is so compelling that it’s genuinely shocking she wasn’t nominated for an Oscar. Qualley is so convincing in this role that she makes you forget she’s Andie MacDowell’s daughter. Even MacDowell jokingly admitted that she feels like a “nepo parent” now, given how much her daughter’s star power has risen.
From a writing perspective, The Substance can feel slow at times, with long stretches of silence that occasionally drag. Certain plot points also feel underdeveloped or unclear. One of the film’s most grotesque scenes features an “explosion” that seems to come out of nowhere, leaving you wondering how—or why—it fits into the story. This is a common issue in modern horror films, where shock value is prioritized over meaningful storytelling.
Director Coralie Fargeat has stated that she wanted this film to highlight the pressures women face regarding beauty standards, aging, and identity struggles. While the message is important and relevant, the execution might leave some viewers feeling like The Substance is more about indulging in extreme gore than making a meaningful social commentary. The film’s reliance on shocking imagery could make it seem like the director feared audiences wouldn’t engage with the film’s themes unless they were wrapped in grotesque body horror.
Overall, The Substance features standout performances and striking cinematography, but the writing feels rushed—almost as if it was completed in 11 days, much like the infamous script for Black Widow. The film relies heavily on gore to fill the gaps left by its underdeveloped script. While it might be a fun choice for a Halloween horror marathon—especially if you’re in the mood for blood, explosions, and creepy creatures—it ultimately feels hollow. The film had the potential to be a thought-provoking exploration of beauty and identity, but instead, it leans too hard into body horror for the sake of shock.
I won’t blame you if you decide to skip this one—because by the time the credits roll, you may be left wondering, What did I just watch?
