After watching Substance, many viewers may find themselves questioning what they just experienced. Is it an art-house body horror, a satire on Hollywood, or a dark drama about self-acceptance? In reality, the film combines all of these elements, making it one of the most compelling and thought-provoking films in recent years. Director Coralie Fargeat masterfully utilizes powerful symbolism and visually striking imagery to critique the entertainment industry's unrealistic beauty standards and their impact on women.
The central theme of the film revolves around the importance of self-acceptance and rejecting society's idealized images of beauty. Elizabeth, the protagonist, grapples with the conflict between her true self and the idealized version of herself created by her own fantasies. Fargeat has openly stated that the inspiration for the film came from her own frustration with her younger self and how "reckless youth steals time." This struggle is vividly portrayed through visual metaphors and striking contrasts, showing the internal conflict that many women face when confronted with society's beauty ideals.
One of the film’s most powerful aspects is its portrayal of how the media and entertainment industries shape and distort perceptions of women. Fargeat pushes boundaries by deliberately rejecting conventional cinematic decency and using uncomfortable close-ups, grotesque imagery, and exaggerated depictions of female bodies. These elements highlight the way women’s bodies are often objectified and reduced to mere objects of desire in media, particularly through the lens of the male gaze. Fargeat's approach subverts this gaze, using exaggerated, almost grotesque visuals to create an unsettling effect, rather than sexualizing the characters.
The film's visual world itself contributes to the unsettling atmosphere, with artificial and sterile settings that convey discomfort despite their vibrant colors. Fargeat contrasts the harshness of the entertainment industry with the simplicity and vulnerability of everyday life, particularly in scenes where Elizabeth experiences changes in her body and fears being judged by those around her. The horror in Substance doesn’t come from monstrous transformations alone, but from the deeper fear of aging, the reminder of mortality, and society’s relentless pressure to maintain an unrealistic facade. Ultimately, Substance becomes a powerful critique of modern culture, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and rejecting the damaging beauty standards imposed by the media.
