As a seasoned horror enthusiast with a stomach of steel and nerves of iron, I’ve seen my fair share of gruesome scenes that would make even the bravest shudder. But let me tell you, dear reader, “The Substance” was a whole new level of body horror that left me feeling queasy for days.
2024 looks stacked with some fantastic horror movie releases, truly, but none have left me as captivated as The Substance.
As a hardcore horror enthusiast, it’s no secret. My passion for the chilling and macabre runs deep, and I’ve made it clear in my writings. From spine-tingling movies and shows that keep me up at night, to the grittiest body horror films that sometimes leave me feeling queasy, I’m all in. The genre’s survival depends on fans like me, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
I don’t particularly enjoy films that fall under the category of traditional horror. Instead, I gravitate towards psychological horror which keeps me on edge and makes me feel like there might be something hidden in the shadows even after the movie ends. Movies by Ari Aster are perfect examples of this style. As for body horror, if I hear that a film is well-made, I’ll definitely consider giving it a watch.
Which is what led me to The Substance.
Earlier this year, I’d heard whispers about a movie that was causing quite a stir in cinemas, making audiences uncomfortable. However, since it wasn’t easily accessible where I reside, I hadn’t managed to watch it. Recently though, the numerous edits and intriguing updates online piqued my curiosity. So, on a Tuesday night, I ventured out to catch a glimpse of what everyone was talking about.
And yeah, one scene made me want to barf up everything I had eaten for dinner—let’s talk about it.
Spoilers from The Substance ahead!
Overall, The Film Was Well-Told And Spoke Valuable Themes On The Worth Of People As They Age, And Their Value Within Themselves And The World
To put it simply, it’s not common for people to anticipate that a horror film will carry a profound message. After all, there are numerous other films available that convey strong themes effectively. It’s unlikely that a horror movie would leave us pondering our role in the world after watching it.
We attend horror films for an adrenaline rush, to experience chills running through our bodies, and to have our pulse race when we involuntarily leap from our seats as a result of unexpected sounds or events on the screen. Sometimes, this results in audience members chuckling at their own fear reaction.
In essence, these types of films, such as demonic possession movies, frightening doll flicks, and generally large-scale scary movies, aren’t typically designed to leave us pondering deep life lessons. Instead, we anticipate enjoying a fun and entertaining experience at the cinema that ends with a smile on our faces.
Instead, “The Substance” doesn’t exhibit such behavior. Quite the contrary, it leaves you feeling queasy, yet it offers many terrifying scenes that are truly captivating. However, unlike other horror films I’ve seen in recent years, this one stands out not just for its scares but also for its profound message. It delves into societal perceptions of aging individuals and the feelings they might experience as they feel less valued due to their age, and the need to seem younger to be appreciated.
Additionally, there’s a constant expectation on young individuals to continually strive for fresh prospects, sometimes to the point where one’s wellbeing might be compromised and they could potentially break down under the strain to achieve success.
It speaks about so much of that and more, and I have to admit… it made me really think about how we view women in the media industry, and it made me actually pretty sad. I feel that there is so much that we have to offer, but as we get older, people will undoubtedly see a shift in usefulness. And that’s just a shame.
The message is there, and it’s delivered well. But that doesn’t make it any less gross.
I Normally Don’t Get Grossed Out Easily, But That New Year’s Eve Stage Moment Got Me
So far, the movie hadn’t been overly disturbing for me. While scenes like Elisabeth’s spine splitting open and a new layer growing was unsettling, and watching her leg rot might have been off-putting, it was the final scene that made me feel nauseous, wanting to turn my gaze away from the screen.
As a gamer, just the thought of transforming into a wobbling, conversing amoeba-like creature would be enough to send chills down my spine. But then, there she was, standing confidently on stage – along with all the other captivating elements – that truly hooked me in.
Over time, her body is disintegrating piece by piece. A breast seems to emerge from one of her openings, only to drop onto the stage below. An arm detaches, and she spurts blood wildly, as if a scene from “Carrie” has been intensified a thousand-fold.
It’s an overwhelming amount. To be honest, what made it particularly challenging was how much there was to process in such a brief span of time, which almost felt too intense for my system to manage. The movie skillfully built up the graphic violence gradually, but at the climax, it took us by surprise with that scene and, indeed, managed to make me look away and shudder uncontrollably.
I Don’t Even Want To Get Into Elisabeth Crawling To The Star
Another instance that nearly caused me to retch was when Elizabeth, following Sue’s fall and explosion on the pavement as she fled – moved towards her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame using what remained of her facial features.
I understand the symbolism – a star reaching her final moment of glory before being erased by the public once more, never to be mentioned again, especially after being cleaned off the floor by a scrubber, reducing her to the ground. However, there’s something unsettling about a body part, crawling on the ground, with a face fixed upward, gazing at the sky.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sleep again after this. So thanks, The Substance.
The Film Is A Great Example Of Body Horror, But I Don’t Think I’ll Ever Watch It Again
The Material serves as a superb illustration of the genre known as body horror, and I wholeheartedly support this assessment. It effectively conveys a message while simultaneously sending shivers down the spine of viewers, requiring a talented filmmaker to pull off such a feat.
But there is no way on God’s green Earth and in my lifetime that I’m ever watching this again. And I think TopMob’s Eric Eisenberg said it best – you are not prepared for The Substance whatsoever, no matter how strong your stomach is.
Perhaps, if I choose to watch this movie with companions just to gauge their responses, it might be a sign that I’ve reached a level of desensitization towards virtually anything, an idea I believed I had already attained.
Let this film help me realize that I am not and probably will not be for many years.
Being a film enthusiast and having watched countless movies over the years, I must say that “The Substance” stands out as one of the most impactful films I’ve ever seen. However, I strongly advise you to watch it with an empty stomach. Trust me on this, the intense scenes will leave you feeling quite unsettled, and you won’t want any distractions like popcorn to take away from the experience. If you haven’t had a chance to catch it yet, check if it’s playing in your area. Believe me, it’s worth skipping out on the usual snacks for this one.
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2024-10-28 03:07