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Beauty and the Beast Within: A TIFF Review of ‘The Substance’
September 5, 2024Ben MK
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As the old saying goes, age is nothing but a state of mind. However, when it comes to how things work outside of the mind — in the real world — ageism is something that we all unavoidably have to contend with once we start getting up there in years. Whether it's being passed over for a promotion in favor of a candidate with less experience and more potential or simply not getting the same treatment as others who are younger and more attractive, we all eventually find ourselves on the other side of the fence where the grass isn't as green. But what if there was a way to cheat the cruel effects of time? What if there was a way to unlock a better, more youthful version of yourself? Enter The Substance, in which a washed-up former actress named Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) unexpectedly finds herself presented with precisely such an opportunity. The longtime host of a morning aerobics show titled Sparkle with Elisabeth, Elisabeth suddenly finds herself out of the job when her boss, a sexist network executive named Harvey (Dennis Quaid), decides to replace her with a younger, fresher face. Just when she begins to think that her career is over, though, she receives a mysterious invitation to take part in an exclusive, age-defying treatment known only as the Substance. A methodical regimen that requires her to inject herself with a sinister green liquid and withdraw regular doses of her own spinal fluid, the Substance at first appears to be a godsend, allowing Elisabeth to live her best life through her younger, more vivacious alter ego, Sue (Margaret Qualley). However, as she proceeds with the treatment, she soon comes to the terrifying realization that even the most wonderful gift can have the most horrible and monstrous side effects. A scathing and satirical critique of societal beauty standards that also does double duty as one of the most disturbing and grotesque tales of body horror ever committed to film, what follows doesn't pull any punches when it comes to shocking audiences or bringing attention to its message. What sets The Substance apart from other similarly themed genre movies, though, are the fearless performances of its stars. Thanks to writer-director Coralie Fargeat, Moore and Qualley each deliver what will most assuredly be looked back on as one of the best performances of their respective careers. And while the result definitely isn't for the squeamish, one thing's for certain — viewers will never look at beauty products the same way again. |
The Substance screens under the Midnight Madness programme at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. Its runtime is 2 hrs. 20 min.
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