After seeing the body destroyed in ways I could never imagine and hearing sounds I had never thought possible, saying that I left the theater in shock would be an understatement.This is what is to be expected from Carolie Fargaet’s latest film, The Substance.
We follow the story of Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), an aging Hollywood actress who, after getting fired from her TV network job, is introduced to this strange futuristic product called “The Substance.” Elizabeth has spent most of her life as a superstar, but now that she is aging, she begins to notice that people treat her like a relic of the past. The Substance promises to bring out the best side of her, a more youthful, beautiful woman through whom Elizabeth can relive her dreams of stardom.
After agreeing to the terms, Elisabeth is provided with a set of medical equipment, including syringes, tubing, and a phosphorescent green liquid. She injects herself and undergoes a horrifying transformation. Her skin splits open down the spine, and from her body emerges a new, perfect version of herself: a younger woman who she named Sue (Margaret Qualley.)
“The two of you are one,” says the instructions, so through Sue, Elisabeth can live out her dreams, taking over her workout show and becoming an instant Hollywood sensation. However, the transformation comes with a catch. Sue can only be active for one week at a time, and then Elisabeth must resume her original form and life. This cycle of transformation and hibernation creates a dual existence, with both Elisabeth and Sue feeding and sustaining each other.
What could go wrong? Well, the plot turns on its head when Sue becomes so enthralled with her life as this young, beautiful superstar that she surpasses the one-week limit. In order to sustain this, she must take life energy from Elizabeth’s body, rendering it older and more decrepit as each day passes. As we move into the final act, the complicated nature of the arrangement becomes apparent, and conflict arises. It is woman vs. self (literally) as both Elizabeth and Sue fight for a foothold in the real world.
