Elisabeth (Demi Moore) is finishing up her day at the studio at the beginning of the brilliant new film The Substance. Successful, award-winning, and beautiful, she leaves the soundstage of her workout show as her production team wishes her a happy 50th birthday. Elisabeth soon learns that she is on the chopping block. Borish executive and boss Harvey (Dennis Quaid) has but a handful of dismissive comments to make before waltzing off to another meeting and Elisabeth is left alone, discarded, and hurt. What will she be willing to do in order to be relevant again? Channeling Kubrick, Anderson, Cronenberg, and Gaspar Noe, writer-director Coralie Fargeat crafts a sharp commentary on the entertainment industry and beauty standards while showcasing the raw talents of her cast to deliver what I would easily call one of the best films of the year.

Through a chance meeting, a cherubic young man clues Elisabeth in on something called “The Substance”. Hesitant at first, she investigates and learns of a new technology that may offer a solution to the problem of aging. What if you could produce a more youthful version of yourself to live the life that you long to have again? Would you do it? Elisabeth does but there are some very strict rules that she needs to adhere to. With the creation of this second, more youthful body named Sue (Margaret Qualley), the time needs to be shared. Seven days spent as Sue and seven days as Elisabeth. What could possibly go wrong?

Sue immediately nabs Elisabeth’s old job as a fitness personality and her career takes off. Yes, Sue needs to be gone every other week to handle some personal matters, but Harvey promises to make it work. As Sue enjoys a blossoming career, Elisabeth yearns for validity and personal connection, as if that exists in Hollywood. The body timeshare situation becomes acrimonious when Sue’s career demands more time and Elisabeth suffers the consequences. The problem is that while two very different entities, Elisabeth and Sue are inextricably connected. The powerplay begins.

With the same level of insanity that dictates the ridiculous, misogynistic double standards of beauty and relevance that persist in Hollywood, Fargeat creates a hyper-reality focused on appearance, symmetry, and youth. Candy-colored scenes of neon insanity follow Sue’s tenacious hold on youth as Elisabeth begins to resent her vivacious offspring and its success. In one of my favorite moments in the film, Elisabeth reconnects with an old school friend who sees her as the beautiful person she longs to be. But, at the last minute, Elisabeth cannot bring herself to meet him for dinner because her standards of appearance are too unattainable.

Writer-Director Coralie Fargeat has created a caustic cancelation of the patriarchal double standard shot through a funhouse lens. Stylish, extreme, and at times unbearable, we are dragged through the absurd standards expected of women as the men call the shots. Demi Moore delivers the performance of her career as Elisabeth. Her turn as the vain personality is raw, visceral, and masterful.

In the end, credit goes to Fargeat for creating extreme art with a potent message. The Substance is one of my personal top ten favorite films of 2024. It’s not for everyone but it’s one hell of a ride.