In Hollywood, everyone is obsessed with what's new and shiny. It can be hard reinventing yourself over and over again just to convince people you still matter. Maybe that's why the 2024 body horror film The Substance hit me too hard. The movie explores themes of aging, beauty standards, and the dark side of wanting a "better" version of yourself. It was written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. The film features extensive use of practical effects and prosthetic makeup to create disturbing visuals that will stick with you long after it fades out. Today, I wanted to go over the film's controversial ending and talk about what it all means. Let's dive in. The Substance PlotWe open the movie looking at the Hollywood Walk of Fame star of Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a fading actress who is fired from her aerobics show by her agent (Dennis Quaid) due to her age. No matter what Elizabeth does, she knows her career is going to be over because she's aged out of it. It drives her kind of mad. Desperate to regain her youth and relevance in Hollywood's eyes, she turns to a black market drug called "The Substance." The drug promises you'll become a younger, more perfect version of yourself. Elizabeth orders it and it comes in a pristine package -- it's a giant syringe with green goo inside. Once she takes it the body of a woman in her twenties emerges from a slit in her back.That woman is Sue...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Saturday, 22 February