from the series Movie Corner…
4 out of 5 Stars
Horror/Drama
Working Title Films
By HOWARD MCQUITTER II
The Substance is no ordinary horror-drama film. A good part of the film’s strength lies with the actresses Demi Moore (Elisabeth Sparkle) and Margaret Qualley (Sue) and the other is the social piece dealing with society’s preoccupation with being young, especially for women. The premise is that Elisabeth Sparkle is a fitness presenter/trainer on a national morning TV show. (Many of you who read this column may not have been born when the late Richard Simmons had a TV fitness show in the 1980s.) Ms. Sparkle is fired by her self-serving television executive boss Harvey (Dennis Quaid) whose only problem with her is that she is now “too old”. She’s mystified and disheartened by her cruel dismissal from her career.
Rather than moving on to a less glamorous job, she stumbles onto a black market lab that promises cell-replicating drugs that she can use to restore her younger, vibrant and more shapely form. The proviso is that she is only able to spend seven days as each person. The younger version is named “Sue” (Margaret Qualley) who becomes the replacement for Elisabeth on the fitness TV show. However, bizarre things begin to happen as her younger self, Sue, begins to take over, and turns against Elisabeth in violent ways. Elisabeth is now a victim of her younger self which is inimical to both her and Sue.
The Substance
Cast: Demi Moore( Elisabeth Sparkle), Margaret Qualley (Sue), Dennis Quaid (Harvey), Hugo Diego Garcia (Diego), Yann Bean (The Substance).
Director: Coralie Fargeat.
Screenwriter: Coralie Fargeat.
Cinematography: Benjamin Kracun.
Original Music: Raffertie.
Running time: 141 minutes.
Rated: R
Howard McQuitter II is a longtime movie critic. He has been reviewing movies for the alley since 2002.
