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- ‘The Substance‘ Deserves Praise, but It Is Not a Comedy or a Musical
- Horror Has Long Been Mistreated at the Biggest Award Ceremonies
As a seasoned movie buff with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Coralie Fargeat’s masterpiece, ‘The Substance’, is a game-changer in the realm of horror cinema. With its unique blend of body horror and dark humor, it challenges the status quo and pushes the boundaries of what we traditionally consider as “horror.
Coralie Fargeat’s movie, titled The Substance, is making waves as it challenges the norm by pushing horror films towards being recognized at award ceremonies. The film has generated some early buzz for potential Oscar nominations, which is quite unusual for such consideration at esteemed events like the Academy Awards. The movie’s chances are looking even brighter, as it has secured five nominations at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Director – Motion Picture (Coralie Fargeat), Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Demi Moore), Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture (Margaret Qualley), and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture (Coralie Fargeat).
For horror fans who have been praising the Demi Moore-led horror film, this marks a shift, with a win giving more fuel to the sentiment that horror deserves the same praise as other genres come Award season. Yet, the nominations also point to an ongoing issue with the system that even when a horror film is nominated, it is not categorized properly.
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‘The Substance’ Deserves Praise, but It Is Not a Comedy or a Musical
In the “Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy” category, The Substance is competing against a variety of films such as Anora, Challengers, Emilia Pérez, A Real Pain, and Wicked. Although The Substance employs a dark satirical tone that can be humorous, its true essence and worth aren’t primarily tied to being categorized as a comedy. Instead, it is often praised for its innovative concept, insightful social commentary, and exceptional acting. It would be difficult to find The Substance on any “Best Comedy Movies of 2024” list.
Comparing a movie like Wicked, a richly-visualized musical fantasy, to The Substance, which leans more towards body horror with dark humor accents, is preposterous. Both films cater to distinct audiences who might view the other as inferior based on their preferences. It’s important to note that while there may be some overlap in fans, those captivated by body horror and those enamored with popular musicals are largely separate groups.
Horror Has Long Been Mistreated at the Biggest Award Ceremonies
The selection of horror films that have received accolades like Oscars or Golden Globes is quite limited, with “Silence of the Lambs” being the lone title to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. However, it’s essential to note that “Silence of the Lambs” is more akin to horror-adjacent (similar to how “The Substance” leans towards comedy), and its brilliance as a crime-thriller often gets overshadowed by the genre label. Movies like “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968), “The Exorcist” (1973), “Misery” (1990), “Black Swan” (2010), and “Get Out” (2017) have garnered Oscars or Golden Globes in various categories. Regrettably, many outstanding horror films often go unrecognized by award bodies.
As a passionate admirer of horror cinema, I’ve witnessed remarkable performances like Florence Pugh in Midsommer (2019) and Essie Davis in The Babadook (2014), which have served as compelling arguments for increased representation within the genre. This call for change dates back to 1980 when Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, The Shining, was overlooked entirely by the Oscars. Horror enthusiasts comprehend that a film like Terrifier might not garner accolades alongside what is generally considered the “best” by a broader audience and critics. Nevertheless, the genre persistently evolves, and with films like The Substance receiving significant attention, it’s high time horror received its own category at awards or, at least, broader recognition.
The Substance is available to stream on Mubi and Prime Video. The 82nd annual Golden Globes is set to air on January 5, 2025, 8 PM to 11 PM ET, and will also be available in the USA on Paramount+.
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2024-12-10 04:31