A Feminist Film That Tackles Body Image
The Substance (2024) is a body horror film that follows Elizabeth (Demi Moore) spiral after being let go from her job. She was a famous television actress but when she hit the “peak age” of 50 the studio decided it was time to replace her for a younger model. She encounters the substance, a green liquid to produce a young version of herself called Sue (Margaret Qualley). The rules are simple, you live in your body for 7 days and then switch. Though the company stresses that Elisabeth and Sue “are one”, they do not share a consciousness, instead competing with each other for more time and bodily control to increasingly brutal, grotesque and excessively bloody ends.
The Beauty Industry
The beauty industry is constantly pushing messages out to women that they need to look younger, perkier, youthful, skinny and will promote products or procedures that offer X, Y and Z. Women have a right to choose what they look like, which includes aging. In the United States, the total revenue from cosmetic procedures in 2022 was $11.8 billion, with $8.5 billion coming from surgical procedures. The most popular surgical procedures in 2022 were tummy tucks, breast augmentations, and liposuction. With the rise of Ozempic (an injectable drug used to manage weight for people with type 2 diabetes) being bought and used my celebrities, causing a shortage for people who NEED it, I think it’s safe to say that if the substance existed…people would take it.
Respect
During the movie, when Sue is created, she is very respectful and caring for Elizabeth’s body. She respects that without her, she cannot exist as Sue. She makes sure her body is rested comfortably, strokes her hair and kisses her goodbye. However, as the film progresses Sue becomes selfish and locks Elizabeth away, and spends longer and longer in her body before switching back - causing lasting damages. When it’s Elizabeth’s turn to live her week, she remains a shut in, she waits around for her time to be Sue again, showing that she has no respect or self worth in her aging body.
Overall
Without revealing spoilers, the movie is a fantastic fuck you to the pressure that society puts on women. It shows the extremities that women will go to for the name of vanity and how their worth is mesured by their appearence.
Sources
The Guardian (2024) Is The Substance brilliant feminist critique or a soulless mess? Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/sep/28/substance-movie-demi-moore
Statisca (2024) Total revenue of aesthetic procedures in the United States in 2022, by type. Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/281346/total-revenue-on-cosmetic-procedures-in-the-united-states-by-type/
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