The Substance and the Horror of Society’s Obsession with Beauty

More and more horror movies are tapping into deep, unsettling insecurities that lie beneath the surface of our everyday lives. The Substance (2024) is one such film, a chilling exploration of society’s obsession with youth and beauty. Director Coralie Fargeat stuns audiences as her film delves deep into the suffocating beauty standards imposed on women and the lengths that some will go in order to keep up with them.

The movie centers around Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a famous actress who has aged out of her spotlight in Hollywood and been carelessly cast aside for a younger, “hotter” replacement. When Elizabeth takes a mysterious substance that promises youth and vitality, her insecurities (literally) birth her alter ego, Sue (Margaret Qualley). Sue skyrockets to fame, replacing Elizabeth in hosting “The Morning Show’s”  aerobics program. However, when Sue fails to respect the rules of the substance, the pair learn the harsh, bloody consequences. 

Elizabeth serves as a stark reminder of society’s views on women aging. Despite still possessing the same skills as her second self, Elizabeth is shoved aside for the younger, more desirable version. From Sue’s perspective, we see how she is adored simply for her youth while Elizabeth is discarded. Moore’s astounding performance captures the rage and sadness of not just women in Hollywood, but women in general. This is best demonstrated in the heartbreaking scene when Elizabeth prepares to go out for a date; the audience watches as she keeps attempting to leave, only to end up back in the bathroom staring at the mirror before she eventually breaks down and begins to violently rub her makeup off. She stays home and ghosts her date, rotting in self-hatred. Moore brilliantly captures the devastating toll unrealistic beauty standards can take on a person. In a world where anti-aging beauty secrets, facelifts, plastic surgery, and social media filters have been not only popularized but encouraged, this exaggerated portrayal highlights their absurdity. Qualley shines as Sue, capturing the essence of an “it girl” in her performance of a young upcoming star. However, Sue’s life is far from perfect, as she’s often objectified by those around her and held to impossibly high standards by television executives in her pursuit of media stardom. Qualley’s performance also captures the unfair and restricting expectations set for women.  

The true brilliance of the film is reflected in Elizabeth and Sue’s relationship. Although the two act as different people and are never conscious at the same time, they are essentially “one.” While Elizabeth struggles with her jealousy of Sue’s successful career, Sue struggles to respect Elizabeth’s wishes, often disregarding her as “washed up.” Rather than fighting the  standards placed upon both of them, the women tear each other apart as they’re inevitably pulled farther and farther from being “desirable”, each in their own way. Ultimately, their self-hatred drives the conflict to its climax. Unable to live in a world where she’s disregarded and “undesirable,” Elizabeth, despite her jealousy, grows reliant on Sue for self-confidence, describing her as “the only lovable part of herself.” Elizabeth’s own self-hatred and reliance on Sue causes her to go to extreme lengths to maintain the facade of Sue, ultimately leading to her downfall. 

The Substance serves as an exploration of society’s obsession with youth, beauty, and the exploitation of women. Through the contrasting experiences of Elizabeth and Sue, the film critiques both ageism and the unrealistic pressures placed on women of all ages. It is a thought-provoking and unsettling reflection on beauty and aging in today’s society.