The 2024 Horror/Sci-fi “The Substance”, is more of a critique on society than a simple scary movie. While it may come off as grotesque and out of this world concept, it is much more realistic than some would think.
The film follows the life of Elisabeth Sparkle, played by actress Demi Moore, who dives headfirst into an experimental drug known as “the substance” all as an attempt to recapture her youth.
This character was once the most desired actress of her time, but as she enters her fifties she is hit with the judgement of Hollywood. The show that once had audiences completely enthralled because of Sparkle’s beauty and charisma decided that she was no longer a fit for the job.
This is the event that causes the spiral for Sparkle, it sets off the dominoes that end up in complete catastrophe. There is a constant battle between Sparkle and the version of her created through the substance, instead of making Sparkle younger it turns her into something “better”.
Sue is the outcome of Sparkle’s trials with the substance, but there is no connection between the two character’s when it comes to consciousness. They do not share memories or emotions, each “living” a separate life, the catch is that the two need each other to survive.
However, as Sue becomes more acquainted with the world and the way it treats her she finds it harder to let go and respect the balance. She indulges in the gratification society presents her with because of her looks, she is hoisted up with the same praise that Sparkle once received.
This treatment becomes a drug for Sue, but in order to receive it she must drain Sparkle’s body, stealing her life and causing her to age rapidly and turn into something more monster than human.
Beneath all of the satirical and gruesome imagery the message is clear, so clear it is practically screaming at its audience. Elisabeth Sparkle is not an anomaly, but the average.
She falls into the same route that most female celebrities end up on, one that is prompted by Hollywood and the society that devoutly follow it.
The substance that she takes is no different than the methods that are used in the real world by the women who feel they are aging out of their fame. They feel this way because they are frequently reminded of it, the media has picked up the perfected technique of judgment.
The cosmetic enhancements that we have access to promote the exact same promise that the substance did, it never claimed to make Sparkle younger, only better. Fillers and surgeries are the same, they cannot actually make the recipient younger, they simply provide the hope that they will look better based on society’s standards.
The film emphasizes the toll the process takes on Sparkle’s body because it mirrors that of the real ones, adding onto the body and attempting to cover the imperfections cause the body underneath to wilt away. Just like Sparkle, this damage becomes apparent to the rest of the world and the “treatments” meant to fix the problems expedited and worsens their visibility.
The overall goal this movie had was to expose the Hollywood behavior towards women, and worse our behavior towards them. The audience has a role in this cycle, we are the collective that consume the media and have become accustomed to the promoted aesthetic. Viewers now crave youth and beauty on our screens, and when it fades we often switch the channel to something new.