The Substance (2024)

Director: Coralie Fargeat

Starring: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid

A fading celebrity takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.

Once famous actress Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) now hosts an aerobics show for a television network, but on her 50th birthday she is dismissed by her producer Harvey (Dennis Quaid), who wants a fresh new young face for the show.

Upset, Elizabeth is involved in a car crash on her way home. At the hospital, a young male nurse hands her a flash drive. Once home, she watches the contents, which is an advertisement for a substance that will produce a younger version of yourself. She orders it, but the substance comes with strict procedural instructions she must follow without exception.

A younger, new version of herself literally emerges from within, and there are now two versions of Elizabeth Sparkle. As the young version, she decides to audition as replacement for her show, and introduces herself as Sue. Harvey – not realizing who Sue truly is – immediately hires her.

Enjoying her newfound youth, firm body, and success, Sue neglects the instructions, and things start going horribly wrong for both versions. ‘The Substance’ is an extremely well made film with a great soundtrack, photography, editing, and sound effects. Not to mention the insane practical effects!! Not since ‘The Thing’ and ‘The Fly’ have I seen these incredible practical effects.

Unfortunately the film completely falls apart during the final ten minutes. What the hell were they thinking? I’m not going to do spoilers, and all I’m going to say is that the reaction from the audience (in the movie) was not realistic and actually completely stupid. Even the photography was shaky and completely out of focus. Just why? The film had the potential for a much better ending…Even so, this was still an incredible watch and a very unique premise.

Demi Moore delivered a fantastic performance as Elizabeth Sparkle, and Margaret Qualley is perfectly cast as Sue. Ten out of ten for the make-up effects team!! The film teaches us a powerful lesson to accept yourself, and accept the fact that we all age.

At the box office, ‘The Substance’ earned $38 million on a budget of $17.5 million.

Would I watch it again? Yes.