The Substance

A mysterious organisation offers a television fitness personality a return to youth with onerous conditions.

The Substance is a morality myth seeking to amplify the dangers and vanity of obsessively seeking youth, both as an individual and as a society. The misogyny-fuelled pressure placed on women not to visibly age is widely understood, and the point is made well before the extended and bloody climax. The audience may be left wondering if the editors were asleep at their consoles, leaving too little lying on the notorious cutting room floor while the accomplished cast goes all out. Aging disgracefully.

Limited Release 19th September 2024
Madman Entertainment 141 mins