The Substance (2024): Movie Facts, Trivia, and Gory Secrets Exposed

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The Substance 2024

“The Substance” follows Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a fading actress who uses a black-market drug to create a younger version of herself, Sue (Margaret Qualley), leading to horrifying consequences. Dennis Quaid plays Harvey, the producer who fires her, and Edward Hamilton-Clark is Edward, her assistant.

Production and Release

Directed by Coralie Fargeat, the film was produced by A24 and released on September 20, 2024, with a budget of $17.5 million, grossing $77.1 million worldwide. Filming took place in Paris, France, among other locations.

Awards and Reception

It won Best Screenplay at Cannes and received nominations for Best Picture and Best Actress at the Oscars. Critics are divided, praising its satire but debating its graphic content.

Comprehensive Analysis of “The Substance” (2024) Movie Facts and Behind-the-Scenes Details

“The Substance,” a 2024 American-French-British body horror film directed by Coralie Fargeat, has carved a niche in contemporary cinema with its bold exploration of beauty standards, aging, and identity. Starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, the film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2024, and was released theatrically in the United States on September 20, 2024, by Mubi. It grossed $77.1 million on a $17.5 million budget, becoming Mubi’s highest-grossing film. This survey note delves into the movie’s facts, trivia, and behind-the-scenes details, offering an edgy, comprehensive look for horror enthusiasts and cinephiles.

Plot Summary and Themes

The narrative centers on Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a former Academy Award-winning actress and host of a long-running TV aerobics show. On her 50th birthday, she learns her show is canceled due to her age, prompting her to use a black-market drug, “The Substance,” which creates a younger, more beautiful version of herself, Sue (Margaret Qualley). The catch is they must alternate weeks, but when Elizabeth disrupts this balance, the results are grotesque and transformative. The film explores themes of societal pressure on women’s bodies, aging, and the horror of losing identity, with a satirical edge that has sparked debate.

Cast and Characters

  • Demi Moore as Elizabeth Sparkle: A fading celebrity desperate to reclaim her youth, delivering a career-best performance that earned her a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination.
  • Margaret Qualley as Sue: The younger, perfect version, whose dynamic with Elizabeth adds psychological depth.
  • Dennis Quaid as Harvey: The producer who fires Elizabeth, replacing the originally cast Ray Liotta, who passed away before filming.
  • Edward Hamilton-Clark as Edward: Elizabeth’s assistant, a minor but pivotal role.

Production Details

  • Director and Writer: Coralie Fargeat, known for “Revenge” (2017), wrote the screenplay over two years, motivated by societal pressures on aging women.
  • Producers: A24, Working Title Films, A Good Story, and Blacksmith, with principal photography lasting 108 days in France.
  • Filming Locations: Included Paris, France, with a notable scene at La Maison du Caviar – 21 Rue Quentin Bauchart, Paris 8 (IMDB).
  • Budget and Box Office: Estimated at $17.5 million, it grossed $77.1 million worldwide, a significant success for Mubi (Wikipedia).
  • Technical Specs: Runtime of 2 hours 21 minutes, shot in color with a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, and sound mixed in Dolby Digital.

Awards and Nominations

  • Cannes Film Festival: Premiered on May 19, 2024, winning Best Screenplay and receiving an 11-minute standing ovation (Wikipedia).
  • Golden Globes: Demi Moore won Best Actress – Comedy or Musical on January 5, 2025, her first major win after 45 years in acting (Soap Central).
  • Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025 (Hollywood Reporter).
  • Other Accolades: Five BAFTA nominations, seven Critics’ Choice Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Moore.

Interesting Facts and Trivia

  • Ray Liotta’s Replacement: Originally cast as Harvey, Liotta passed away in May 2022 before filming, and Dennis Quaid replaced him, with Liotta still mentioned in the director’s “Thank You Notes” during credits (IMDB).
  • Practical Effects Extravaganza: The film used approximately 21,000 liters (5,500 US gallons) of fake blood, extensive prosthetic makeup by Pierre-Olivier Persin, and practical effects like puppetry and dummies (Wikipedia).
  • The Blob Scene: The final scene featured a puppet blob, nicknamed “Gremlin” in the shooting schedule, a nod to “Gremlins,” overlayed on Moore’s face with visual effects to preserve her expressions (Wikipedia).
  • Blood-Soaked Extras: Credits include a special thanks to extras in the theater scene, covered in blood, highlighting the film’s visceral production (IMDB).
  • Standing Ovation: The Cannes premiere received an 11-minute standing ovation, underscoring its impact (Wikipedia).
  • Feminist Debate: The film’s portrayal of body horror has led to discussions on whether it’s a feminist statement or exploitative, with critics divided (BBC Culture).

Critical Reception

“The Substance” has a 7.3 rating on IMDB and a 74% positive rating on Metacritic, based on 674 user ratings, indicating generally favorable reviews. Critics have praised its bold satire and Moore’s performance, but it’s divisive due to its graphic content.

  • Roger Ebert: Described it as “a cautionary tale that’s both timely and timeless,” highlighting its depth (Roger Ebert).
  • IndieWire: Called it “an immensely, unstoppably, ecstatically demented fairy tale about female self-hatred,” noting its impact on beauty standards (Metacritic).
  • BBC Culture: Noted it as “2024’s most divisive film,” with debates on its feminist credentials versus potential exploitation (BBC Culture).

Box Office Performance

With a budget of $17.5 million, “The Substance” grossed $77.1 million worldwide, making it Mubi’s highest-grossing film and a commercial success, especially for an independent release (The Numbers).

Controversies and Notable Moments

  • Feminist Controversy: The film’s graphic depiction of body horror has led to debates, with some seeing it as a feminist critique of beauty standards, while others, like a Slate article, argue it’s “shallow, misogynistic, and exploitative” (Slate).
  • Graphic Content: The use of 21,000 liters of fake blood and intense scenes have sparked discussions on the limits of horror, with some walkouts reported at Cannes (Wikipedia).
  • Theatrical Re-release: Due to awards buzz, it was re-released in over 350 theaters on January 17, 2025, ahead of potential Oscar nominations (CBR).

“The Substance” is a cinematic tour de force that challenges viewers to confront societal beauty standards and the horrors of aging. Its blend of horror, satire, and drama, coupled with Moore’s standout performance and controversial themes, makes it a must-watch for those seeking thought-provoking cinema that doesn’t shy away from the ugly truths of our world.

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