Hollywood has long been fixated on youth, constantly seeking fresh faces while casting aside those who have aged. Reinventing oneself becomes a necessity, making it challenging for stars to stay relevant. This struggle is a central theme in the 2024 body horror film The Substance, which delivers a disturbing take on beauty standards and the dangers of striving for a “better” version of oneself.
Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, The Substance relies heavily on practical effects and prosthetic makeup to create its haunting visuals. The film follows Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a fading actress who loses her aerobics show due to her age. Desperate to maintain her youth, she turns to an experimental drug called “The Substance.” The drug produces a younger, more appealing version of herself named Sue (Margaret Qualley), but at a horrifying cost.
A Desperate Struggle for Control Leads to a Horrific and Inevitable Transformation
Sue quickly gains fame, living the life Elizabeth once had. However, the transformation isn’t permanent—Elizabeth and Sue must switch places weekly. As Sue’s popularity grows, she becomes reluctant to return to Elizabeth’s deteriorating body. She abuses a stabilizer fluid meant to sustain them both, worsening Elizabeth’s condition. Over time, Elizabeth’s original body begins to break down, making her desperate to regain control.
Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle (Photo: The Substance/Metropolitan Filmexport)On New Year’s Eve, Sue takes extreme measures to remain in control, extracting more of the serum from Elizabeth. This reckless act backfires, leading to the creation of a monstrous hybrid of both women, dubbed “Elisasue.” The creature takes the stage in a grotesque display, horrifying the audience as its body falls apart. The spectacle turns into a nightmarish critique of Hollywood’s obsession with appearance.
A Haunting Allegory of Hollywood’s Disposable Treatment of Aging Women and Beauty
As Elisasue escapes and collapses on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Elizabeth’s face detaches from the monstrous form, crawling toward her star before melting into the pavement. A street sweeper then erases all traces of her existence. This chilling conclusion symbolizes the fate of many women in Hollywood—discarded and forgotten once they are no longer deemed desirable. The film forces viewers to confront the industry’s exploitative nature and society’s obsession with youth.
The Substance serves as both a grotesque horror film and a biting social critique. By blending body horror with Hollywood’s real-life struggles, it leaves audiences disturbed and introspective. The film highlights the pressures placed on women in the entertainment industry and how society perpetuates unattainable beauty standards. Its shocking imagery and thought-provoking message ensure it lingers in viewers’ minds long after the credits roll.
