The question this film raises is one of how desperate is one to look fascinating to others. The eagerness of beauty, fame, and derailment hit deep in The Substance. Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, the reality of a dream finding its path to a nightmare is daring. With Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley as the two lead women, their personalities dwell on concept of addiction to popularity. Surrounding the film are the tons of efforts made to live the Hollywood life, attempting to thrive, and not be forgotten. This is accomplished through the use of a drug. When the procedure is done inaccurately though, many moving parts of unforgettable and treacherous forces come down. It is a volcano of cinematic madness that does not stop erupting.

The film focuses on Elizabeth Sparkle (Moore). Elizabeth is an actress that feels her fame is decreasing. She is famous for her fitness videos, but senses the lack of emerging opportunities. Her manager is Harvey (played by Dennis Quaid). Harvey is a self-centered corporate blow hard who just belittles and pressures her. Everything around Elizabeth brings feelings of nothingness. She decides to take steps to make a change—onesthat will haunt viewers to extreme heights. She investigates a black-listed drug that replicates cells. Once she starts injecting it, it creates another version of herself creating another individual. The new creation is Sue (played by Margaret Qualley). Once this happens, the double-life of Elizabeth Sparkle and Sue finds the best of both worlds. However, theuniverse of the drug comes with consequences.

The film finds its twist in the plot as Elizabeth and Sue abuse the drug. It must be taken accurately, otherwise deterioration is bound to occur manifesting in revolting, anxiety-provoking, and spellbinding reactions. Once audiences are in the world surrounding The Substance, it is a journey where the eyes of fame and fortune cannot be dismissed. How badly does Elizabeth want Sue to bring her fame days back? How can Elizabeth and Sue handle the harsh drug? Where is the stoppingpoint? The Substance revitalizes an aging star with an eagerness to feel her younger glory days again. 

The women encounter new opportunities, reckoning side effects, and a whole lot of offers that cannot be turned away when it comes to fame. Moore and Qualley deliver the most destructive and unforgettable performances of 2024 in The Substance. It is a new nightmare not to be forgotten and will haunt some. Shivers will run to the core of its audience.

The Substance is a masterpiece. There is nothing like this on screen in terms of creation and creativity. The cinematography is universally compelling as are the nightmares of anxiousness.The key to the film is the monsters unleashed when the drugs are not used correctly. Moore rocks as the fading celebrity desperately seeking attention. Qualley rolls with the flow like the dazzling young replica she plays (under Moore). The beauty sides may not have all the right outcomes, and this results in aneruption of irreparable consequences. Four out of four stars for The Substance.