Shell: Elisabeth Moss’ New Thriller Already Faces Backlash for Copying 2024’s Biggest Horror Hit

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The horror genre often succeeds by revisiting ideas, putting fresh spins on them, and sometimes, by stirring up debate. For every truly original and shocking movie, there’s another one criticized for being unoriginal or predictable. This is precisely the position Elisabeth Moss’ upcoming horror comedy Shell is in right now. The official trailer was released just weeks before its premiere on October 3, and it quickly caused a lot of online discussion, festival buzz, and even some negative reactions – and that conversation is still happening.

Why is this happening? Both horror enthusiasts and reviewers have pointed out the noticeable parallels between Shell and Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance-the shocking 2024 film from Cannes that has become a new benchmark for body horror. Since The Substance continues to be a major topic of discussion and is appearing on many “best of the year” lists, people are wondering if Shell will be able to establish itself as unique, or if it will simply be seen as an imitation.

What Is Shell About?

Elisabeth Moss is widely known as a remarkably brave and talented actress. Through strong performances in The Handmaid’s Tale, Her Smell, and other films, she’s become known for fully immersing herself in demanding roles that require deep emotion and a willingness to push boundaries. This made her new project, Shell, a fitting choice. The film was expected to offer a sharp and unsettling look at obsession with appearance, the beauty industry, and how companies take advantage of people, all presented through a disturbing, body-horror style. However, even before it’s been shown to most viewers, many feel like they’ve already seen this story before.

, Shell brings together Kate Moss and Kate Hudson in a surprising, yet captivating, pairing. Moss portrays Samantha Lake, an actress whose career is stalled until she becomes involved with Zoe Shannon (Hudson), the captivating CEO of SHELL, a thriving wellness company. SHELL promises to help people transform their lives, feel energized, and achieve a stunning, almost otherworldly beauty. However, when clients begin to disappear, Samantha suspects Zoe is hiding disturbing secrets that are far worse than anything advertised.

The idea for the film felt perfect for Moss’ strengths: a mix of a character’s mental unraveling, disturbing body horror, and a sharp critique of the entertainment and wellness worlds. But when Shell debuted at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, reviews were mixed. A lot of critics complimented the dedicated acting and the visually striking design of its smooth, yet unsettling, setting. However, others found the film’s speed and changes in mood problematic, and felt it didn’t fully deliver on the disturbing elements it hinted at.

Honestly, the biggest complaints weren’t about how the movie was *made*, but how similar it looked to another horror hit from 2024: The Substance by Coralie Fargeat. People started pointing out the resemblances right away, and some even called Shell a “copy,” even though the two films actually felt very different in how they were put together and the overall mood. By the time Republic Pictures released the trailer in the fall, the online arguments were really intense. The conversation shifted away from how brave Moss was or how amazing Hudson’s performance was, and focused instead on whether Shell even *needed* to exist after The Substance came out.

How Similar Are Shell and The Substance?

To grasp the debate surrounding the film, one need only consider The Substance. Coralie Fargeat’s movie made a huge impact at Cannes 2024, generating enthusiastic reviews. Featuring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, it centers on a struggling actress who utilizes a strange product to create a younger, seemingly flawless replica of herself-leading to a disturbing and brutal fight between the two versions. The film was daring, graphic, fiercely feminist, and didn’t shy away from intense body horror. For many viewers, The Substance quickly became a significant cultural moment, immediately recognized as one of the most innovative horror films of the last ten years.

Let’s look at Shell now. Though not exactly the same, it feels strikingly similar. Both movies focus on actresses facing declining careers. Both feature a seemingly perfect beauty fix offered by a captivating and enigmatic industry. Both then descend into frightening body horror, revealing the disturbing reality behind our fixation on youth, influence, and flawlessness. For most viewers, the connections are clear.

The main issue is that The Substance took a bolder, more extreme approach. Fargeat’s film wasn’t subtle with its disturbing imagery; it fully embraced it, showcasing intense blood, fluids, and internal organs alongside pointed commentary on society. Shell, however, has faced criticism for being more cautious. Reviewers have noted its slow pace, described its thoughts on beauty standards as superficial, and found its body horror less impactful than other films in the genre. While The Substance was groundbreaking, Shell is generally considered more traditional.

However, the two films aren’t exactly the same. As reviewers at Bloody Disgusting have noted, Shell takes a significantly different turn as it progresses. Ultimately, it adopts the style of a classic, over-the-top monster movie from the 1950s, featuring silly costumes and dark humor instead of constant violence. Kate Hudson’s portrayal of Zoe Shannon also brings a lively and vibrant quality that sets it apart. Despite these distinctions, they’ve been overshadowed by the prevailing opinion: Shell is being compared to The Substance and isn’t measuring up.

When a film is released is incredibly important. If Shell had come out just a couple of years later, it’s possible people would have appreciated it more on its own merits. However, audiences are seeing the trailer so soon after being deeply affected by Fargeat’s film. In the horror genre, where audiences value being shocked, seeing something new, and breaking boundaries, being the second to do something similar is often a fatal flaw.

Is Shell a Shameless Knockoff or a Victim of Bad Timing?

What about Shell, then? For Elisabeth Moss, the movie is another bold attempt, though it might not resonate with all viewers. She fully commits to playing Samantha, much like she does with her other intense roles. Kate Hudson, on the other hand, has received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Zoe, playfully overacting and bringing a burst of energy to every scene she’s in. Even those who aren’t fans agree that Shell features some truly striking visuals and a strong final act that lives up to the impact of its surprising beginning.

However, many horror enthusiasts might not find that satisfying. The Substance raised expectations incredibly high-and established its unique style so distinctly-that any movie exploring similar ideas is likely to seem like a copycat. Regardless of whether that’s a fair assessment of Shell, how people *perceive* a film often carries more weight than the filmmakers’ intentions. Even before its October 3rd release, criticism is growing, with some who watched the trailer already calling it a blatant imitation. That’s a harsh outcome for any film, but particularly for one that tackles relevant issues and features a skilled cast.

Another important consideration is how Shell will be remembered. In five years, will people see it as a hidden treasure that was wrongly criticized and overlooked because of a more famous film, or will it simply be forgotten as a failed experiment? The response from audiences beyond film festivals will largely determine this. Horror films often get a second look-movies like Jennifer’s Body and The Neon Demon were initially disliked but later gained devoted fans. If Shell can find its audience, it has the potential to be re-evaluated positively.

Right now, the release timing appears to be a significant mistake. Shell seems to be trying to capitalize on a trend that has already peaked, regardless of whether that was the intention. Launching a film with so many obvious parallels to The Substance so soon after its release was bound to cause a negative reaction, and in today’s world where online conversations heavily influence a movie’s success, that reaction could determine the film’s fate before viewers even have a chance to form their own opinions.

Shell isn’t necessarily the blatant copy some claim it is, but it’s difficult to ignore its similarities to The Substance. Elisabeth Moss and Kate Hudson both deliver noteworthy performances, and Minghella’s direction shows promise at times. However, in the demanding world of horror fans, release timing is crucial, and Shell might have unfortunately been released at the least ideal time.

The biggest problem isn’t the movie itself, but all the discussion surrounding it. Horror movies succeed by taking chances, trying new things, and sometimes pushing boundaries. The Substance really changed the game by going for it completely, but Shell runs the danger of being known as the film that held back. It’s uncertain if viewers will eventually appreciate it more or if it will be forgotten because of how it compares to others. However, it’s obvious that when filmmakers work with the most challenging aspects of horror, they can’t settle for being second best.

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2025-10-01 02:08