Going to the movie theater is one of my favorite pastimes. Sometimes, a theater-going experience can feel almost magical, giving you a shared, united experience among strangers that you just can’t get anywhere else. Sure, sometimes the vibe is ruined—I’ve had my fair share of moments where people are on their phones, talking to each other about anything but the movie. I even once saw a group of tween aged boys literally wrestling and racing each other down the aisles (which is probably the moment I officially became that adult who goes to get the manager). But even with the occasional annoying crowd, the times when an audience is truly engaged have always outweighed the bad ones. When everyone laughs, cries, cheers, and gasps together, the energy is unparalleled. I’m lucky—the AMC in Lincoln Square has consistently given me these kinds of experiences, so naturally, that’s where I went to see Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance.
Let me rave about this experience for a second: being greeted at the door by the always-smiling, always-friendly Jeffery is never a dull moment. He makes you feel safe and excited to be there. “Great to see you again! Twiissssteeddd movie. Enjoy it at your own will!!” he said to me and my girlfriend as he checked our tickets. AMC, please treat Jeffery well; he’s one of the best employees you have. We grabbed our popcorn and settled into our seats. As the movie started, and that infamous Nicole Kidman ad began to play, a guy walked in with his friend and threw up the iciest “rock on” fist I’ve ever seen. Everyone broke out laughing—it was perfect. Nicole was right; we all came to this place for magic, and it was only just beginning.
I’m giving you this indulgent preamble, noble reader, to set the stage for the fantastic experience I had with this movie. These are the kinds of audiences you need to see a film like The Substance with. It’s not something you casually watch by yourself on a Tuesday night or while half-asleep on a plane. Watch it with people, or better yet, a crowd—it’ll make the experience so much better. I also suggest going in as blind as possible, but only if you have a strong stomach. This movie features some pretty intense body horror, so if you’d rather know nothing going in (which, again, I’d suggest), hold off on reading the rest of this review and come back later.
Coralie Fargeat’s 2024 film The Substance follows Elizebeth Sparkle, a once-iconic Hollywood star, played by Demi Moore. Nearly 60, she feels washed-up and is essentially forced into retirement by producers who no longer see value in her brand. One day, she’s contacted by a mysterious, Lumon Industries-like organization offering her a new drug called “The Substance,” which lets her inhabit a younger, Barbie-like body for seven days at a time. During the alternating seven days, her consciousness returns to her original body. Elizebeth, tempted by the chance to feel young and vibrant again, takes the drug and names her new self "Sue" (played by Margaret Qualley). The film explores heavy themes around aging, feeling obsolete, and self-identity—especially among women who often feel invisible after a certain age. This depth lifts The Substance above typical horror fare, making it a powerful, original piece that deserves to be seen by anyone with the stomach for it. It might be the best film I’ve seen this year. While I expect it could be overlooked as “just another horror movie,” I truly believe it deserves Oscar consideration. After all, it won Best Screenplay at Cannes, so who knows? Here’s hoping—it has my vote—if I had a vote.
Alright, now let’s talk spoilers.
One of my favorite things about The Substance is its tone. The film exists in a heightened reality, reminiscent of early 2000s kids' movies like The Cat in the Hat—quirky and surreal. Cinematographer Benjamin Kracun uses close-up wide-angle shots that give the film a cartoonish, fever-dream quality. Moore, Qualley, and Dennis Quaid’s over-the-top performances are unsettling and add to this vibe. I saw a review on Letterboxd that said, “somehow, the grossest scene in the movie was a close-up of Dennis Quaid eating shrimp,” and I totally agree. The world feels both full and hollow, all from Elizebeth/Sue’s perspective. You can’t tell if it’s an alternate dimension or just the skewed view of an anxiously aging woman. It’s truly a work of art.
As for the performances, everyone brings their A-game. Demi Moore is incredible, pushing her acting chops and self-image in ways we’ve never seen before. The closest comparison I can make is Michael Keaton in Birdman—almost therapeutic, coming to terms with past roles and where he stands now. Moore does something similar, facing what it means to be an 80s “it-girl” in the 2020s. And, by the way, she looks amazing in this role. By the film’s end, as her character (now disfigured and going by “Monstro Elisasue”) longs to look like Demi Moore again, you realize she never needed to change. Like Keaton, I hope Moore gets her award-season moment. I haven’t seen a better lead actress performance this year.
Margaret Qualley also shines here. I’ve seen her in a few roles, but The Substance lets her really showcase her talent. My girlfriend Emily described her perfectly: “Margaret Qualley is an alien trapped in a supermodel’s body,” and I couldn’t agree more. She’s stunning, yes, but there’s this underlying weirdness she brings that sets the film’s tone. With a few more standout roles, Qualley is bound to become a household name. Her performance here is funny, scary, and slightly menacing, making us both wary of her presence yet empathetic to her motives. By the end, you want both Elizebeth and Sue to succeed, even though you have no idea how that could ever work out peacefully.
I loved how at the start of the movie, both Sue and Elizebeth care each other’s limp bodies laying on the floor. Sue gently rests Elizabeth’s head onto a pillow, but then by the end, there literally dragging each other downstairs. This makes the scene where both ladies are on the floor and gain consciousness is haunting. You feel both of their anger, resentment, but also that love for each other from the start of the film. Yet, it’s no wonder that the both try to kill each other. It’s in these moments that the film’s message really shines: LOVE YOURSELF. Love your life, your body, your past, present, and future. There’s only one you, and it’s crucial to take care of yourself. Yes, have fun in your youth, but understand that life changes, and that’s okay. It’s easy to see Sue and Elizebeth as two separate people, but the story is even richer when you remember they’re the same person, literally battling herself.
A perfect example of this self-judgment is the makeup scene, which had my theater groaning more than any body horror scene. In the scene, Elizebeth prepares for a date with an old school friend, who was thrilled to see her again, still having a crush on her even at 60. She gets all dressed up and starts to leave, but then catches sight of Sue’s youthful look. What follows is a tense, dialogue-free sequence where she goes back and forth with her makeup, her self-doubt fully visible. She ultimately misses the date and never calls the guy back. We’ve all been there—staring into the mirror, barely recognizing ourselves, struggling to feel comfortable in our own skin. It’s this relatability that makes The Substance resonate so powerfully.
And let’s talk about those amazing practical effects. In an era of AI, CGI and “The Volume” stage, The Substance brings back the art of practical effects in a big way. The hyperrealistic body parts and grotesque creatures are impressive, but it’s the simpler effects—like a needle entering an arm or Sue sewing up Elizebeth’s back—that really made me squirm. These scenes will have even the toughest viewers turning away.
The Substance is one of the most shocking and disturbing horror films I’ve seen in a while. With its grotesque body horror, profound themes, and top-tier performances, it’s bound to stand out for years to come. I can’t wait to see what director Coralie Fargeat, the effects team, and the cast do next because movies like this remind me why I love being a movie fan.
Thanks for reading.
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