The Stream: At 2 hours 15 minutes, it is a little longer than necessary.

The Big Screen: Darkly funny, outrageously gross and Demi Moore really going for it.

The Final Bill: A freaky story takes body horror to an emotionally resonant and thoroughly entertaining level.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Writers: Coralie Fargeat
Stars: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid
Genre: Drama, Horror, Dark Comedy
Rating: R for strong bloody violent content, gore, graphic nudity and language.
Runtime: 2 hours 15 minutes
Production Companies: Blacksmith, Film France, Working Title Films
Platform: In theaters September 20, 2024
Notable Trailers: Wolfman, Your Monster, Saturday Night, Lee, Megalopolis

What’s up, Streamers!?! Yes, Halloween season is in full swing! The stores are overflowing with creepy displays, costumes and bite sized candies. Moreover, it seems every weekend has a few new horror and scary-adjacent movies bursting on the big screen. Well, The Substance is a body horror, dark comedy that takes the fears of aging and puts them on full, grotesque display. In The Substance, Demi Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, an Academy Award-winning actress, who now hosts a long-running aerobics television show. As she is about to turn 50-years-old, the network is looking to go in a new, younger direction. In order to maintain her career, which is based on her youthful appearance and toned body, Elisabeth turns to a mysterious, black-market product called the Substance – consequences be damned. Bloody, body-ripping hijinks ensue.

The Substance is such a surprising movie both in its story and its execution that you must avoid spoilers in order to really get the full effect of the experience. The writer-director, Coralie Fargeat, has a strong point of view and a twisted sensibility, which shines through in this gruesome, sometimes poignant and also pretty funny movie. Demi Moore is excellent as Elisabeth Sparkle. She expertly plays the character’s desperation while being vulnerable at every turn. Moore is also very funny in many of these scenes. Margaret Qualley plays the other main character, Sue. Qualley is perfectly cast as this vapid and selfish young woman. She’s very fun in her scenes expertly playing entitlement, desperation and panic.

My minor quibble is that this movie does not need to be over 2 hours long. It probably is a little slow setting up the story and establishing the characters, but I don’t know what should necessarily be edited out. Moreover, this movie has great action sequences that make you forgive the slow parts. These scenes are thrilling and hilarious. The make-up is so good throughout you will want to cover your eyes. I can’t say the movie is necessarily scary, but you will definitely be squirming in your seat. Finally, the sound design has to be mentioned. I was covering my ears from all of the gross sounds. The sound of this movie is almost more grotesque than the visuals. The director has put together very memorable and exciting elements to complete a topnotch film.

Ultimately, The Substance is a wildly entertaining movie. Both the plot and the execution of the story are surprising, thrilling and engaging. Demi Moore’s performance is funny and grotesque. You won’t forget every move she makes. Yes, the movie runs a little long, but most of its runtime is justified and filled to the brim with intriguing ideas and spectacle. Grab a big box of popcorn and maybe a barf bag to the theater.