As a seasoned gamer and film enthusiast with a weak stomach for body horror, I must say that The Substance has left me both horrified and utterly captivated. With its masterful blend of satire, body horror, and powerfully delivered performances by Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, this film is undoubtedly one for the books.
caution: The following information contains significant plot details about the movie ‘The Substance’. If you haven’t seen it yet or prefer not to know spoilers, I suggest you stop reading now.
I don’t particularly enjoy films that delve into body horror, but when I repeatedly heard that “The Substance” was hailed as one of the best and most memorable releases in the 2024 movie lineup, my curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to give it a shot. To my delight, I found myself thoroughly enjoying Coralie Fargeat’s satirical horror film, and I must say that Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley’s performances were simply extraordinary – they deserve every accolade coming their way. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if this film makes it onto our list of the Best Horror Movies in due time.
The body-related fright was fantastic in every positive sense, the film’s bitingly sarcastic tone was undeniably sharp, and the tale of a woman pushing herself to keep her waning stardom alive really struck a chord with me. Despite the fact that there are several scenes in this outstanding horror movie that are genuinely nauseating, one scene in particular left me feeling queasy beyond belief.
Do you know what it is? Come along and find out…
The Substance’s Body Horror Had Me Sqirming In My Seat With My Hands Covering My Eyes
In hindsight, I wish I had heeded my colleague’s counsel when they warned us that we were not adequately prepared for “The Substance.” Their prediction proved accurate, and the events that followed left me ill-prepared. Since then, it has been confirmed by others on the site that certain scenes could induce terrifying nightmares or even cause nausea before doing so.
Watching the intertwined sequences featuring Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) and her youthful counterpart Sue (Margaret Qualley), I found myself fidgeting nervously and shielding my eyes, as if I were a young child witnessing the It miniseries for the first time. The graphic depictions of infected sores, the heaps of grisly, gory flesh, and that utterly bizarre climax left me feeling queasy yet relieved to have watched it prior to dinner, rather than afterward.
But The Scene Where Harvey Is Devouring Shrimp Made Me Want To Barf
In a different way, nothing in the movie “The Substance” affected me as strongly or negatively as the lunch scene where Dennis Quaid’s character Harvey, who is captivating in both good and bad ways, seemingly carelessly tells Elisabeth that she is no longer required after reaching 50 years old.
Quaid’s TV executive character, who’s known for being overactive, seedy, and downright unattractive, devours a mountain of shrimps (covered in an excessive amount of butter), making crunching, tearing, chewing, and slurping noises while discussing the audience’s appreciation for flatulence on screen. He then avoids direct confrontation by circling around the issue, which is repulsive in numerous aspects. After stumbling over his words and abruptly leaving the table, he carelessly leaves Elisabeth with this mess. Remarkably, the shrimp somehow continues to remain…unmoved.
I adore shrimp more than most other edible items, often consuming large quantities until I become uncomfortably full. However, it’s a satisfying type of discomfort, and I might need to cut back on them after witnessing such a series of unfortunate incidents.
In Addition To Being Truly Disgusting, The Sloppy Lunch Scene Is One Of The Most Important Scenes
Following the viewing of “The Substance“, I subsequently discovered a snippet from the Toronto International Film Festival debut, where Demi Moore labeled the shrimp scene as “the most brutal part of the film.” Indeed, while there are no graphic depictions of bodily harm or excessive gore, what makes it impactful lies in its symbolism.
The shrimp scene sets the tone for the remainder of the film, suggesting that the male-dominated entertainment world exploits its talent, discards them with little regard, and often leaves without an adequate farewell or explanation. Those who suffer are typically left in a disheartening, oily, and messy situation (and frequently stuck with the tab). It’s unclear how the movie would have unfolded if not for this distasteful business meeting.
After properly processing the shrimp scene and the entirety of “The Substance“, I believe I’m now ready to leave behind Coralie Fargeat’s unique brand of body horror. However, with several enticing horror films on the horizon, it seems another gut-wrenching moment may be just a corner away.
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2024-11-25 13:07