Filmmaker Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance” horror had been under wraps for some time. Described as a body horror seen through a feminist lens, for months, all the French writer/director has said about the movie was that it would “push boundaries with a different kind of violence.” But if the Cannes Film Festival synopsis wasn’t already self-evident, the newly released teaser for “The Substance” basically gives up the ghost. It’s clearly a body horror film about a middle-aged woman who pines for her youthful beauty and the substance that can help her achieve these dreams. However, as the synopsis ominously teases, with such a fateful Faustian bargain in place, what could possibly go wrong? Given the genre of body horror and some of the images, well, probably everything.
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Fargeat is known for 2017’s French action thriller, “Revenge,” which followed the story of a young woman who is raped and left for dead in the desert by three men. Eventually she recovers and seeks vengeance upon her attackers. So clearly, Fargeat is a bold filmmaker who makes confrontational films and choices.
“The Substance” stars Demi Moore (now 61) as the woman who is given the proposal of a “better version of yourself.” Margaret Qualley (“Kinds Of Kindness”) also stars, and while she’s not seen in the trailer, all signs point to her playing the younger version of Moore once this mysterious transformation is complete.
The Substance” also stars Dennis Quaid (who filled in for Ray Liotta, who passed away before he could shoot the film), Hugo Diego Garcia, Phillip Schurer, and Joseph Balderrama.
Here’s the official synopsis:
HAVE YOU EVER DREAMT OF A BETTER VERSION OF YOURSELF You, only better in every way. You should try this new product, it’s called The Substance. IT CHANGED MY LIFE. With the Substance, you can generate another you: younger, more beautiful, more perfect. You just have to share time – one week for one, one week for the other. A perfect balance of seven days each… Easy right? If you respect the balance…what could possibly go wrong?
“The Substance” premieres in Cannes shortly, and you can watch for our review coming soon. You can watch the teaser and some new images below. “The Substance” was acquired by MUBI for release in North America, so hopefully, it’ll be out on the arthouse streaming channel sometime later this year. Watch the first teaser below.
