Bonus Review: The Substance

If You Follow The Instructions, What Could Go Wrong?

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INTRODUCTION

This is a quick review of the newly released film The Substance. Keep in mind this is but one of the many movies I watch every year, and that whatever initial grade I come up for this film could change for better or worse with time. To better keep up to date with both my thoughts on other movies and if my feelings on this film changed, follow me on Letterboxd.

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THE PLOT

Via Letterboxd: A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.

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QUICK REVIEW

Three years ago body horror pulled off the ultimate coup when Titane won the top prize at the Cannes film festival. Earlier this year a new body horror original, from director Coralie Fargeat, and starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, The Substance, premiered at the festival to high raves - escaping with the screenplay prize. The great reviews continued into TIFF’s Midnight Madness where it won that bloc’s top prize. Earlier today, I finally got my own eyes on a movie that has been seen as a long-shot Best Picture contender that could land Moore an acting nod at the oscars. And I ended up really liking it - but also really conflicted about one thing.