The Substance

"Wow wow wow! If you are a fan of body horror and practical effects, then this is the movie for you! If you are afraid of needles, blood, or toger forms of body horror, then I would recommend skipping this one. The Substance had my eyes glued to the screen the entire time. This movie has fantastic and creative ways to show how women and their bodies are treated by themselves and others (specifically men). It was fun to watch a movie that consistently surprised me. Even when there were certain plot points that I knew would take place, I was still surprised with the way the body horror added to it. Sometimes it was scary, sometimes it was funny, and the entire time it was gross! I highly recommend watching! "

"Whoa. What did I just watch? 😅✋🏼 definitely gruesome, weird, unhinged and crazy! Body horror is a real thing but oh my gosh. I definitely went into this movie blind and didn’t watch the trailer. But I’m still wondering what I just watched LOL. The art, the way they went about this film was perfect. Demi Moore went above and beyond for this. Definitely a crazy wild movie 🤣 8.5/10 ⭐️ "

"I went into The Substance mostly blind after only seeing the trailer and I'm glad I did. Body horror can be hit or miss for me, but this one really locked me in and so did the satirical aspect. I don't want to spoil anything, but I think I was actually holding my breath and the arms of my seat for the last 20 minutes at least. Fair warning: the body horror is pretty gruesome, but I'm pretty sure the shrimp eating scene is the most upsetting food scene I've ever watched. It's no comparison to Denethor eating tomatoes. I might never eat shrimp again. By the way, I was the only one in the screening I went to after I got off work today. What an experience!"

"Elisabeth Sparkle is a fading star in Hollywood. In fact they fire her and want someone younger and hotter. She is presented with an option to take this substance and make a prettier younger version of herself. The catch is you have to switch places every 7 days. So what happens when that rule is not respected? Very original premise that answers that question. Demi Moore is excellent in this role that probably hits close to home. This is a body horror movie. There was alot more blood and gore than I expected. So if you have a weak stomach this one is not for you. It has a very long run time at 2hr 20 and that's where they messed up. They had the perfect ending at about the 1 50...1 55 mark....and then the movie went on for another 30 minutes. It was ridiculous and surreal and it didn't match the the tone of the rest of the film. That's really too bad cause they really had a great movie here. With that ending it brought it down a few notches. Still a must watch for horror fans. Please check out my podcast Mostly Low Budget Movies Reviews with Clarence for a full break down. On all streaming platforms. Link is in the bio. Thank you!"

"Holy Cow! Probably Demi Moore’s best performance I think. I’d say go in without watching the trailer, like I did. The body horror is wild, and though it runs a bit too long, it’s all worth it. I left the theater totally shocked—in the best way!"

"This is the most brutal, unsettling, and gruesome I’ve ever seen. "

"The Substance (2024) is a captivating and grotesque feminist body-horror film directed by Coralie Fargeat. The movie stars Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, delivering two of the best performances of 2024. The film follows an aging actress, played by Moore, as she navigates the harsh realities of sexism and ageism in Hollywood while reclaiming her body autonomy. The visual maximalism of the film can be overwhelming at times, prioritizing style over character development. However, the movie's biting social commentary on ageism and sexism is both resonant and thought-provoking. The Substance is not for the faint-hearted. It is disarmingly grotesque and weirdly fun, with a gore-filled, bonkers finale that will leave audiences either running screaming or wildly entertained. The film's unhinged, blood-soaked scenes are brilliantly disgusting and deranged, making it a polarizing yet unforgettable experience. Overall, The Substance is a cathartically fun and extreme feminist body-horror film that should be shown in movie theaters all over. If you're a fan of daring and thought-provoking horror, this could just be your new favorite movie. "

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"Very creative, original, and weird. Definitely one of the best movie I’ve seen this month. Such a crazy concept that works and honestly I couldn’t get enough of. One thing about movies and nudity is I can’t stand it if it’s too much but in this movie it was fine. On top of that Demi Moore still looks really good for her age."

"I saw this on opening day and I think the bottom-line is it is an intense experience with good performances by all the actors. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley steal the show. Be forewarned though, this movie has an extraordinary amount of blood, guts, and viscera. Some significant messages about beauty standards, body dysmorphia, and aging. The plot never lets up and admittedly takes some wild turns. Respect the balance!"