As a woman who has spent decades navigating the treacherous waters of Hollywood, I must say that Fargeat’s “The Substance” is a film that resonates deeply with me. It mirrors my own journey, albeit with a dash of horror and a splash of dark humor.
The Movie Titled “The Substance”, recently graced the silver screen, serving as a sharp critique of Hollywood’s beauty ideals. Helmed by Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance” falls in line with her signature approach of crafting worlds that mirror reality, yet subtly deviate from it. This production, a collaborative effort between French, British, and American production companies, first premiered in May and hit theaters on September 20th.
In this film titled “The Substance“, Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley play leading roles. The plot revolves around a once-popular celebrity who, struggling with the realities of aging and being phased out of television, resorts to an illicit drug in an attempt to transform herself into a younger, more attractive version. This movie serves as a critique of societal pressures and the dark consequences that can arise from trying to conform to unattainable ideals. The climax of “The Substance” is wild, gory, and aesthetically pleasing, but interpreting its meaning remains intriguing.
Despite not performing exceptionally at the box office thus far, critically, “The Substance” has been a triumph. It clinched the Best Screenplay award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and also took home the Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival. Moreover, it boasts a score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and an average rating of 4.1 stars on Letterboxd.
Brief Explanation of The Substance’s Plot
In “The Substance,” I find myself as Elisabeth Sparkle, once a celebrated actress, now confined to hosting an aerobics show. On my fiftieth birthday, overhearing my producer deride me for my age and physique, he unceremoniously lets me go. As I drive home, distraught by the billboard of my show being removed, I have a crash. Waking up in a hospital, strangely, I receive a flash drive advertising “The Substance,” which spawns a superior version of myself – Sue.
Initially, Sue experiences a meteoric rise to fame, landing the starring role in a new series that takes over from Elizabeth. As they trade places, Elizabeth grapples with low self-worth and solitude, observing Sue’s ascension to widespread acclaim. The disparity between their situations becomes more pronounced as Elizabeth spirals further into self-indulgence, while Sue extends her stay by increasing her use of the Stabilizer, a substance that maintains their existence. Over time, the longer Sue stays beyond the seven-day threshold, the more detrimental it becomes to Elizabeth’s physical appearance.
Over several weeks, Elizabeth seems to age and becomes less attractive. Deciding to discontinue the treatment, Elizabeth starts the process but stops halfway. This results in their link being broken, and both Elizabeth and Sue find themselves awake at the same time. Sue then chooses to end Elizabeth’s life before she goes on air for the highly anticipated New Year’s Eve broadcast.
What Happens at the End of The Substance?
After Elisabeth’s demise, Sue found herself in a precarious situation, as her stabilization was crucial for maintaining her new body. Consequently, Sue’s physical condition started deteriorating rapidly, with pieces of her teeth and other body parts falling off while she was backstage. Desperate now, Sue hastily returned home and defied all instructions to use the leftover Activator in a bid to craft a superior third body. Unfortunately, contrary to her expectations, an abnormal amalgamation of the two bodies emerged instead. Without having seen the film, one could liken Sue to a fusion of the Doctor Who alien Abzorbaloff and a Resident Evil villain.
After slipping back into her stunning gown, Sue affixes a picture of herself to her freshly altered visage and heads to the studio. Upon arrival, she leaves the spectators spellbound, causing a frenzy of uncontrollable excitement. Women are shrieking and men are hurling insults at her shocking new look. This escalates to a point where her head is severed, only for it to miraculously reattach and spray blood across the stage and audience instantly.
In this movie, not an inch of the studio is secure, as she flees and disintegrates on the road. All that remains is the original visage of Elizabeth, gradually moving towards her long-forgotten star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is the sole location in the film where she discovers solace, merging with the star as if finding comfort within it. The film concludes with a cleaner erasing the blood trail left behind, mirroring the way her journey or eventual peace seems to have never occurred, setting the stage for another fresh-faced, beautiful woman to succumb to today’s beauty ideals.
How the Film Explores Beauty Standards in Television and Movies
In the creative hands of Fargeat, this female-centric production presents a unique feminist outlook, challenging societal portrayals of aging women and their physical appearances in mainstream media. The character played by Elisabeth exudes charm and is cherished both by fans and her colleagues on set. A chance encounter with an old friend on the street further accentuates her allure, subtly reminding viewers that her beauty lies not just in her appearance, but in who she is as a person.
Despite her confidence and mental well-being being severely affected by the portrayal of her on screen, she is dismissed from her job due to age, while a man of comparable age is told he’s at the pinnacle of his career. The process of finding her replacement revolves around physical attributes, in stark contrast to her character, which over time leads to her downfall and transformation into something grotesque.
The persistent influence of beauty standards in the film and television world leads Elisabeth to tread a dismal path, eventually ruining her mindset and physique when she was already flawless. Viewers are consistently compelled to notice this as they shift between Elizabeth’s decline and Sue’s ascent, particularly since the new TV show turns out to be less about dance and more focused on Sue’s physical appearance. The focus on Sue’s own image breeds a monster that yearns for this validation, driving her to kill Elisabeth and ultimately sealing her own downfall. The actions of both women are shaped by the way their professions view them.
In contrast to many films that employ body horror solely for shock value and instilling fear, “The Substance” uses this genre to deliver a profound statement. Throughout much of the movie, the use of body horror is delicately handled with a sense of suspense, subtly conveying its message. However, by the climax, the gory spectacle dramatically shifts the film’s atmosphere. Blood erupts from the grotesque form on screen, splattering not just the characters but every viewer as well, culminating in an ending that borders on the campy.
The bold shift in viewpoint underscores that the theme of “The Substance” should not be dismissed casually as subtle or subliminal, but rather it’s so evident and thought-provoking that it demands attention. Some might find it a tad excessive, yet it culminates in an exquisite climax, with the final touch being the irony that embracing your imperfections is the path to inner tranquility, as Elisabeth Sparkle dissolves into nothingness.
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2024-09-26 04:31