The Substance: Horror Fans Rejoice

The Substance is a bloody-mess of what horror classics are made of!

By Janelle Lee Austin

October 5, 2024

Alright, let’s talk about The Substance. Where do I even start? Let’s dive in. First of all, Demi Moore—an icon for my generation. She’s got that sweet yet commanding screen presence, and who can forget her badass role in G.I. Jane? So, when my horror-loving co-writer friend, Supora Carr, asked me to see The Substance, I was in. Especially since it touches on ageism in the entertainment industry, which, let’s be honest, hits home.

Let’s begin with Coralie Fargeat, the writer and director. For any screenwriters out there, you should definitely check out her script—it won Best Screenplay at Cannes 2024 for a reason. The way she translates her intense, grotesque, and totally memorable vision onto the screen is nothing short of genius. It’s like she used the most visceral imagery to bring the horrors of aging to life, and being close to 50 herself, it feels like it came from a deeply personal place.

Now, onto the film itself. From the start, the intro had me hooked—needles and egg yolks multiplying—it’s a weird but spot-on metaphor for what this movie’s about. Elisabeth Sparkle, played by Demi Moore, is an aging star in a world obsessed with youth. The actual process of the substance is a little far-fetched, but it perfectly symbolizes the extremes people go to in fighting age.

Before the horror hits, you’re glued to the minimalist dialogue, striking set design, camera angles, special effects, and sound design, that turn this film into a visual template for future horror flicks.

The dialogue is sparse but impactful—most of it comes from Dennis Quaid’s character, representing society’s harsh views on aging. But the true magic is in the non-verbal acting, especially from Demi. Her performance is so nuanced, you don’t even need words to understand her inner struggle. Maybe it’s because I’m her age, but I felt everything she was conveying. Margaret Qualley as Sue, with her quiet resilience, and gyrating talents, was equally brilliant.

Props to the set designer, Mauvezin Bosque Alexandrine, who nailed the vibrant, manicured look of Elisabeth’s world. The bright, polished surfaces are the perfect contrast to the grotesque reality underneath. And trust me, it gets messy—bloody messy.

This isn’t your typical horror film. From the Oscar-worthy cinematography to the absurdist horror, it’s a future cult classic, using overhead angles, fourth wall breaking, and super close ups. My favorite moment? Dennis Quaid’s face inches from the camera while he’s taking a piss—so weird, yet so fitting. It felt as if he might bump into the camera.

Let’s talk special effects. The blood is super bright, the vomit is neon green, and the skin-stitching scenes… well, they’ll make you squirm in the best way possible. They even managed to make Demi and Margaret look horrifying—and that’s no easy task. But you'll get no spoilers here!

And the sound? Intense! If you’ve ever stood next to a bass amp at a concert, you’ll know the feeling. The sound effects, from the Foley work to the eerie soundscapes and music, took the horror to another level. Every gulp, breath, and lip smack was amplified, adding a whole new layer of discomfort.

At 2 hours and 21 minutes, the film could’ve been trimmed down a bit, but even with the absurdity and some laugh-out-loud moments at the end, The Substance is a timeless horror movie destined for cult classic status. Highly recommend seeing it in theaters—it’s an experience, trust me!