The Substance Is Mubi’s Biggest Box Office Hit

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As a cinephile who has spent countless hours in dimly-lit theaters and lost weekends binge-watching films from every corner of the cinematic universe, I must say that “The Substance” is an absolute triumph. The transformation Demi Moore undergoes in this film is nothing short of mesmerizing, and it’s a testament to her unparalleled acting prowess.

In the movie “The Substance,” Demi Moore undergoes a shocking metamorphosis. Despite its frightening portrayal, this film has brought about a remarkable turnaround for its art-house distributor Mubi. Following its impressive showing at Cannes Film Festival, the film’s popularity has skyrocketed, making it a triumphant tale of success for Mubi.

According to reports, the film titled “The Substance” has set a new record as Mubi’s highest-grossing box office release ever, earning over $14.8 million worldwide so far. An impressive 95% of this revenue, amounting to $13.6 million, was generated in Mubi’s own markets. This makes their acquisition of the film from the Cannes Film Festival for a relatively low sum in the low-double figures seem even more astute. With the movie still gaining traction and momentum, it is expected that “The Substance” will continue to bring in substantial profits for the company.

The Substance Is Mubi’s First Wide Release in the U.S.

Additionally noteworthy is the fact that “The Substance” marks Mubi’s initial wide release in the U.S., suggesting they’re preparing to compete alongside A24 and Neon. The movie has earned $7.1 million domestically on a budget of $17.5 million, but its global reach will ultimately tell the whole tale. “The Substance” is a unique horror film with a satirical undertone and an extended runtime. It’s not your typical horror flick that audiences would rush to see immediately, but with positive word of mouth and great reviews, there’s potential for it to gain traction. Encouragingly, most horror films experience a drop of 50% or more in their second weekends. However, “The Substance” only declined by 39% in its second weekend, which indicates a promising future at the box office.

Under the direction and writing of Coralie Fargeat, the movie titled The Substance made its debut at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in the main competition section, where it contended for the Palme d’Or. Fargeat eventually took home the award for Best Screenplay, launching a surge of noteworthy interest in her second project following Revenge. In this film, Moore portrays Elisabeth Sparkle, a declining actress who also hosts an aerobics TV show. As Elisabeth reaches 50 years old, she is let go from her job due to age, prompting her to seek out an illicit drug known as “The Substance,” a concoction that provides a temporary youthful facsimile of herself, portrayed by Margaret Qualley. The use of this substance comes with strict guidelines, and failing to adhere to them can result in terrifying side effects. Alongside Moore and Qualley, the film also features Dennis Quaid and Huego Diego Garcia.

Critics have praised the film heavily, earning a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Moore’s performance is being hailed as exceptional, even career-defining by some, with whispers of an Academy Award nomination. Similarly, Fargeat’s screenplay is receiving recognition as a possible contender for an Oscar nod. Whether the genre-skeptic Academy will recognize a body-horror satire remains to be seen, but given the buzz it has generated, The Substance could potentially be in the running.

The Substance
is now playing in theaters.

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2024-10-01 21:01