The Substance is a film that tells you one thing but shows you another. It’s marketed as an introspective study of growing older and how society determines beauty, but turns out to be a horror movie, point, period!
A Misleading Premise
Both the movie’s trailer and promotional material reek of Demi Moore, an ageless beauty who has long been considered the antithesis of age. This made many audience members expect a serious examination of the pressures females feel to stay youthful. But the film flips over and delves into a full on horror film.
The film’s exploration of the shadow side of the beauty standards for aging women is intriguing but a little weak. It quickly shifts over to a more conventional horror, and doesn’t really go beyond that first premise.
An OK Horror Movie, But a Closed One.
Despite its nefarious hype, The Substance is an entertaining horror film. It does a good job at building tension, creepiness and shocking surprise turns with all the gore you would expect out of a modern horror movie. Demi Moore is fantastic in this, but her transformation might be a little too far.
But the film’s social commentary potential is wasted. It could have explored the deeper psychological and social implications of a love affair with youth and beauty. Rather, it goes for the standard horror formula and while effective, feels like a missed opportunity.
A Final Verdict
Well, it’s a decent horror movie that falls short of the original expectations. Even if it leaves some fans expecting something more thoughtful in its discussion of ageing and beauty ideals, it may should please the horror fans.
Rating: 3/5 stars
