
Following its premiere at Cannes, “The Substance” has garnered recognition as a chilling body-horror film, earning five Oscar nominations for Fargeat in categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. As depicted by Fargeat in “The Substance”, Los Angeles is not so much a physical location (the movie was filmed entirely in France) as it is the concept of “Hollywood”. This portrayal presents a recognizable yet disconnected reality, reminiscent of a fairy tale, where characters enact a cautionary tale that reflects our deepest fears and desires. Demi Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, an aging actress grappling with her obsolescence, encouraged by Dennis Quaid’s character, who is inspired by Harvey Weinstein. In search of rejuvenation, Elisabeth undergoes “the substance”, a revolutionary procedure that results in the emergence of Sue (Margaret Qualley) from her spine. Along with Sue’s birth comes a set of rules: The pair must exchange places every seven days. Overdrawing from one side can lead to an unpayable debt.