“The Substance”, a harrowing film starring Demi Moore
Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid, marks a turning point in science fiction cinema. Presented at the Cannes Film Festival 2024, the film seduced and shocked audiences, winning the Best Screenplay Award. In cinemas.
Following the success of Revenge in 2018, Coralie Fargeat returns with an even bolder project. The Substance explores the quest for eternal youth and the excesses of body obsession. Demi Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a TV presenter who tests a mysterious substance to improve her appearance. But her rejuvenating cure turns into a nightmare when a younger, more seductive double of herself, named Sue (played by Margaret Qualley), is born. The unexpected side effects turn her life into a living hell.
Super casting
The film, compared to David Cronenberg ‘s work for its treatment of the body and gore, fascinates with its tense narrative and raw images. Coralie Fargeat once again proves her talent as a director and screenwriter. The Substance stands out for its meticulous special effects, immersive sets and polished photography.
Demi Moore, known for her iconic roles in Ghost and Striptease, shines as Elisabeth, bringing a new depth to her character. Margaret Qualley, star of Maid and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, also impresses as Sue. As for Dennis Quaid, he plays a formidable antagonist, a symbol of Hollywood’s excesses.
With The Substance, Coralie Fargeat offers a film that is both gory and satirical, sparking debate on old age and self-image in Hollywood. It promises to be one of the most striking films of the year for genre cinema fans.
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