‘The Substance’: The horror film with Demi Moore becomes a meme, conquers social media and becomes ‘film of the year’

The French director’s film which mixes horror and science fiction conquers the public on social media and becomes the favorite film of the year

If you’re one of those people who loves to follow meme pages on social media, you’ve probably seen the phrase “We want substance in the SUS!” circulating on some profiles out there. The publication is a joke that refers to the horror film starring Demi Moore AND Margaret Qualleyawarded at Cannes and successfully screened in Brazil. From niche film festivals to popular taste on Instagram’s most engaged pages, “The Substance” is realizing what is probably the dream of many other works: breaking the bubble, captivating a loyal audience and receiving the first “film of the year” title.

Initially, after the acclaimed debut at the most renowned film festival in the world, “The Substance” was billed as “the horror movie where Demi Moore does a full-frontal nude scene.” At 61 years old, the actress of “Striptease” AND “Ghost – From the Other Side of Life” in fact, she is uniquely showcased in the film, the French filmmaker’s first work in English Coralie Fargeat. But this isn’t because of her nudity, but because of the way Moore reveals her own vulnerabilities in a world that demands constant thinness and perfection from women.

The memes play with the film’s premise and mock the dictatorship of beauty

In the history of “The Substance”we meet Elisabeth Sparkle (Moore), a famous actress who, at 50, is far from her glory days. Scorned by the entertainment industry, she hosts a TV show where she does aerobic exercises, similar to Jane Fonda’s hit show.

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When she discovers that the broadcaster intends to replace her because it considers her too old, Elisabeth decides to take advantage of an opportunity that knocks on her door and test The Substance, a sort of experiment that releases a younger and more beautiful version of herself; now, the two versions, Elisabeth and Sue (Qualley), must switch places every 7 days so that nothing goes wrong – and understand, above all, that they are both the same person.

It is by taking this as a basis that many meme and joke pages have rejoiced at the film’s possibilities. Comparisons between younger and older artists who are physically similar are popping up online, with people toying with the idea that they’ve “got the substance.”

The comparisons, of course, are fun and a way to promote the film and perpetuate its message, which criticizes the imposition of the dictatorship of beauty on women.

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By maximizing the consequences of increasingly exaggerated and dubious aesthetic procedures, “The Substance” it speaks directly to contemporary society and does not spare the power structures that make people, especially women, almost always dissatisfied with their appearance. Demi Moore herself, exuberant and with an absurd performance in the film, has already had her unfortunate encounters with “rejuvenating” procedures, and shows all her fragilities and fears in front of an audience certainly unprepared for such crudeness and so much intensity.

By breaking the bubble, “The Substance” proves that audiences want new stories

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Released this year at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the award for best screenplay for Fargeat, “The Substance” It is a very happy event for the film industry, and it is a rare phenomenon that a film is so well received by both specialized critics and the public, without the need for an apparatus such as the Oscar to do so.

This, in fact, is something that is happening more and more with original films, an urgent nod from the market to the need for fewer remakes and sequels and more new stories. If a movie with shocking scenes like “The Substance” has managed to become so popular (and deservedly so), it’s time to see that the viewer is more than ready to be challenged and surprised.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.