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I’m writing this review just hours after the much-hyped boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson—a clash between a young fighter in his prime and a 58-year-old legend well past his. Strangely enough, the fight mirrors the themes of *The Substance*, which I happened to watch just before the bout. Both feature a battle across generations, but in the movie’s case, the younger opponent isn’t just a rival—it’s the protagonist herself, squaring off against her own younger, reinvigorated incarnation.
Instead of focusing on a boxer, “The Substance” centers on fading actress Elisabeth Sparkle, played by Demi Moore—a star whose own career trajectory mirrors that of her character. Moore, a leading lady of the ’80s and ’90s, saw her offers for major roles dwindle in the 2000s, much like Elisabeth, a former Academy Award winner now reduced to hosting a daytime fitness show. When her sleazy producer, Harvey (Dennis Quaid), fires her to make way for a younger, more attractive replacement, Elisabeth turns to a risky black-market drug. The substance doesn’t just rejuvenate her; it creates a younger, “improved” version of herself, reigniting her dreams—and unleashing unforeseen consequences.
The twist is that the drug doesn’t simply rejuvenate Elisabeth—it creates a completely separate, younger body that “births” from her original one. This new version, who takes the name Sue, can live her own life while Elisabeth’s body remains unconscious and lifeless, often left sprawled on the bathroom floor. However, the two must switch bodies every seven days, and the inactive body requires regular feeding to stay alive. While this arrangement is manageable for the older Elisabeth, who spends most of her time at home, it becomes a major challenge for the vibrant Sue, whose skyrocketing career and thirst for fun make her reluctant to return to her former self. But as movie logic dictates, breaking the rules comes with dire consequences.
The themes explored in “The Substance” are far from groundbreaking, but they are executed with a visceral intensity that makes them linger in the mind. A stark visual contrast underscores the divide between the two versions of Elisabeth: the older Elisabeth skulks in a dimly lit, claustrophobic apartment, while Sue’s world is a vibrant explosion of warm primary colors, brimming with all the pleasures and possibilities of youth. Sue’s early scenes are especially striking, with a heavy focus on her body that gives her moments a provocative, almost voyeuristic quality—evoking the aesthetic of a 2000s EDM music video or even the intro to a porno. Her daytime fitness show, in particular, feels plucked straight out of Eric Prydz’s iconic “Call on Me” music video.
Described as a body horror, “The Substance” delivers plenty of cringe-worthy moments designed to make the average viewer squirm. However, fans who grew up on Peter Jackson’s early splatter-filled films or those who can handle the visceral intensity of a “Terrifier” movie will likely take it all in stride.
I was genuinely surprised by how much nudity “The Substance” includes. Over the past two decades, Hollywood has largely shied away from onscreen nudity, once a notable draw for certain mainstream films. However, this movie bucks the trend with abundant full-frontal nudity from both female leads. It’s a bold and vulnerable choice, especially for Demi Moore, who, at 62, commits fully to the role—most strikingly in scenes where her body lies lifeless and exposed on the ground. That said, viewers seeking arousal should be forewarned: the nudity is closely tied to the film’s body horror elements, and it often shifts swiftly into unsettling, gore-laden territory.
It’s unfortunate that “The Substance” goes completely off the rails in its final act, demanding an almost impossible suspension of disbelief. The film spirals into a fever dream so chaotic that I genuinely thought I was watching an actual dream sequence—only to realize I wasn’t. The climax abandons the introspective, personal tone I was hoping for and instead explodes into an over-the-top gore fest drenched in blood.
The irony of “The Substance” is that its message will likely be lost on the movie industry itself. While the film could mark a potential comeback for Demi Moore, the harsh reality is that her best-case scenario might mirror the career path of Helen Mirren—a rare but limited example of success for women over 40 in Hollywood. The brutal truth remains: there’s little space in mainstream cinema for older women, and despite its bold commentary, “The Substance” is unlikely to shift that paradigm.
