Elisabeth Sparkle, played by Demi Moore, is a well-known aerobics instructor who gets fired on her 50th birthday. She struggles with her age and how society views her looks.
The entertainment industry often shows people trying extreme ways to look young, and many use filters and AI to create perfect images. In the movie X, Mia Goth plays two roles: a young starlet and an old woman named Pearl. Pearl warns Maxine that her looks will affect her chances of becoming famous.
The show The Boys also talks about this issue. Anthony Starr, who plays Homelander, complains about getting gray hairs. In one episode of the spin-off series, two characters use a cream that promises to make them look perfect.
At first, the cream works, and they become popular influencers, but they soon return to their real selves when their popularity fades. The idea of becoming the “best version of yourself” is not new. The 1994 film Interview with the Vampire also touched on this but showed that such promises often come with problems.
The Substance will be in theaters on September 20, 2024. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2024, where it won Best Screenplay.
After the theater run, it will be available on video and streaming services. The film competes with Transformers One and Halle Berry’s movie Never Let Go during its opening weekend.
A short clip from The Substance was shared after its Cannes premiere. It shows Elisabeth watching a video about the “Substance.” The teaser trailer, released on July 11, 2024, gives hints about the film’s plot and shows some surprising images without revealing too much.
The full trailer was released on August 15, 2024. It shows Elisabeth’s struggle as she misuses the “Substance” after her career takes off again.
Demi Moore, who has been acting for many years, says filming The Substance was freeing. She discussed how she once valued her body too much and felt less valuable when she didn’t look thin.
Now, she understands that these pressures exist for everyone, especially women as they age. She believes these experiences help people learn to love and accept themselves.
Margaret Qualley plays Sue, Elisabeth’s younger self. She is also known for her roles in other recent films. Dennis Quaid plays Harvey, the network executive who fires Elisabeth. He has acted in many films since 1975.
The Substance is about Elisabeth Sparkle, who feels lost after being fired. She sees an ad for a special substance that can make her look young again. She injects herself with it and becomes Sue, her younger self. However, she must spend one week in each body, and the offer may come with risks.
The film tells a satirical story about the dangers of wishing for perfection. It is directed and written by Coralie Fargeat.
The film was made by Working Title Films and will be distributed by Mubi. Filming took place mostly in Paris, France. Dennis Quaid replaced Ray Liotta after Liotta passed away before filming started.
