Beauty comes at a deadly cost!
2024 is shaping up to be a strong year for horror films – though, of course, not all have been hits. One of my most recent spooky screenings was The Substance, and it didn’t disappoint.
This film takes a hard look at the societal pressures on women to maintain youth and beauty, exploring the extreme and often dangerous lengths some will go to meet impossible standards.
Demi Moore (Ghost) delivers a striking performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, a former actress and now fitness guru, struggling with the realities of ageing in an industry that thrives on youth.
Elisabeth, now in her late forties, finds herself being cast aside in favour of the next younger star – with the Hollywood industry being represented here by the slick and slimy Harvey (played by Dennis Quaid).
Her desperation to remain relevant and create a ‘better self’ is what drives the plot, pushing her to experiment with a mysterious and increasingly dangerous ‘substance’.
The titular substance serves as a potent metaphor for cosmetic procedures like botox, fillers, and other enhancements that many undergo in their relentless pursuit of unattainable beauty ideals.
Moore’s performance is particularly poignant, given her own history as a beauty icon. It’s hard not to feel that she’s channelling some of her own experiences and insecurities in an industry that seems to often value youth over talent, creating a layered performance that taps into the internal struggles that I imagine many women face.
The film doesn’t shy away from body horror, with some scenes bordering on the grotesque. However, the gore is far from gratuitous. It functions as a metaphor for the physical and emotional tolls that the obsession with beauty can take, serving as a powerful visual reminder of the self-destruction that can follow when people push their bodies beyond their limits for the sake of appearance.
Interestingly, when I picked up my tickets, I got into a conversation with someone at the box office. They loved the film but thought it could have wrapped up twenty minutes earlier. I have to agree.
While the film is gripping for the most part, it starts to outstay its welcome towards the end. That said, in its entirety, it remains a solid, thought-provoking film with a strong message.
With limited showings, I’d recommend catching it on the big screen soon – while you still can – as there’s plenty of substance to this intriguing horror flick.
ESP Rating: 4/5
Mike Clarke
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Demi Moore, Dennis Quaid, Margaret Qualley & Hugo Diego Garcia
Running Time: 2 Hrs 21 Mins
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Go to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk for all the latest film information & showtimes at Peterborough’s Showcase Cinema De Lux
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