Where to Watch The Substance
- rg9400November 1, 2024A fascinating movie in two parts. The movie starts out as commentary on female beauty standards and the drive for relevance and fame as female stars age and become older. It's a premise covered in a lot of famous movies, and this movie isn't exactly subtle with its messaging. Almost every scene and plot device is crafted to drive that message home. From the frenetic score, the claustrophobic framing and close-ups, and the off-the-walls acting from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, the stylish movie remains engaging even if this section feels a bit overlong. Even though the themes have been covered before and the movie's messaging is very direct, I didn't mind because the premise is unique and the message hasn't exactly been learned by Hollywood or society still. Then the movie drastically shifts. It stops trying to focus on themes and instead just becomes a pulpy, crazy ride that left the audience in shock. For a movie that was clearly so intent on its messaging to suddenly drop it completely is definitely intentional, and a contradiction that I can't decide is one I like or do not like. Certainly, the movie will alienate a lot of people because of that last act, though I am surprised by the amount of buzz it is getting just from initial previews outside of the film circuit. For me, it definitely kept me glued to the screen even if it feels like a completely different movie almost. I just wish it sort of had a bit more "substance" (excuse the pun) in that section as well. One last note. For a movie with such an obvious feminist lens, there is certainly a lot of objectification of its female stars, especially Margaret Qualley. Obviously, it's purposeful, but I've seen some female viewers find that it appeals specifically to a male perspective moreso than a female one. I obviously cannot comment on that, just that the excessiveness felt true to the movie's styles and themes, meaning I personally did not find it exploitative. This movie is really well-made and well-acted, a Cronenberg-esque marvel with an important message at its heart. It will not work for most people, but it did for me.
- Paulo Coelho AlvesOctober 31, 2024Starts at 11, goes up to one million billion and it’s just about the most perfect movie I’ve seen in a long while. There’s a lot of Cronenberg’s body horror and De Palma’s Carrie here, but it’s very much its own sick, twisted, horribly mangled, oftentimes riotously funny vision.
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The Substance was released on September 18, 2024.
The Substance was directed by Coralie Fargeat.
The Substance has a runtime of 2h 21m.
The Substance was produced by Coralie Fargeat, Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan.
Have you ever dreamed of a better version of yourself? You. Only better in every way. Seriously. You've got to try this new product. It's called the Substance. It changed my life. It generates another you. A new, younger, more beautiful, more perfect you. And there's only one rule: you share time. One week for you. One week for the new you. Seven days each. A perfect balance. Easy, right? If you respect the balance...what could possibly go wrong?
The key characters in The Substance are Elisabeth (Demi Moore), Sue (Margaret Qualley), Harvey (Dennis Quaid).
The Substance is rated R.
The Substance is a Drama, Horror, Science Fiction film.
The Substance has an audience rating of 7.6 out of 10.
The Substance had a budget of $17.5M.
The Substance has made $77.3M at the box office.