‘The Substance’ Tackles Beauty Standards Through Body Horror

Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley star in a chilling exploration of societal pressures and self-destruction.

‘The Substance,’ directed by Coralie Fargeat, uses body horror to critique the beauty industry and societal expectations.
Demi Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a former aerobics star who uses a serum to transform into a younger version of herself, portrayed by Margaret Qualley.
The film highlights the extreme measures women take to meet beauty standards, drawing parallels to Moore's own experiences in Hollywood.
Costume design and color symbolism play a significant role, with primary colors marking stages of identity fragmentation and self-destruction.
The visceral horror elements serve as a metaphor for the real-life consequences of relentless beauty pursuits.