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Films

The Substance

149 replies

SocksAndTheCity · 20/09/2024 22:07

I saw this a few weeks ago at a festival but it's out on general release today and I'll be going again on Monday - I thought it was terrific, if a bit long. Has anybody else been for a look? It's pretty squishy and definitely not for everyone.

Demi Moore is just stunning (as is Margaret Qualley), Dennis Quaid is absolutely grotesque and the end is mental 🤣

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ShineyHappyPeeple · 27/01/2025 22:01

Watched this last night and tonight. WTAF!

Loved the message on female beauty standards but my goodness - the gore!

Dogpawssmellgreat · 27/01/2025 22:16

VictoriaSpungecake · 27/01/2025 12:04

This film is going to become a cult classic, isn't it? It would be great if they had "singalong" screenings where people could quote favourite lines and sit there dressed up as the Sue-Liz monster woman - a bit like when everyone wore pink for the Barbie movie.

Give it a few years and this will definitely happen at the Prince Charles cinema

SocksAndTheCity · 27/01/2025 22:17

I was lucky enough to see it again last night at the IMAX with Demi Moore introducing and doing a Q&A, and she was lovely 😀

Dennis Quaid eating shrimp on the biggest screen in the country is not something I want to witness again 🤮😂

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Zebrassiere · 27/01/2025 22:29

SocksAndTheCity · 27/01/2025 22:17

I was lucky enough to see it again last night at the IMAX with Demi Moore introducing and doing a Q&A, and she was lovely 😀

Dennis Quaid eating shrimp on the biggest screen in the country is not something I want to witness again 🤮😂

Amazing! Did she give any further insights about all the themes etc we've mused on here?

SocksAndTheCity · 27/01/2025 23:35

Zebrassiere · 27/01/2025 22:29

Amazing! Did she give any further insights about all the themes etc we've mused on here?

She talked about the violence in the way that women are encouraged to feel about our bodies and the hatred in the language we use to speak to ourselves about the way we look, and how those would look if they were physically manifested and we could see them. Which is what the film aims to do (and I think it's probably not far off).

It's a different way to show the misogyny 'women of a certain age' (her words) experience; we know it's not news to anybody in itself - least of all women - but the film is supposed to be more about how women feel than what men think or how they treat us.

She also said she found parts of it difficult to watch because she was criticising her body too in the nude scenes, but the script was such a revelation she wanted to do it. And apparently Margaret Qualley is lovely.

The Substance
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SocksAndTheCity · 27/01/2025 23:37

I should say that's what I remember and how I interpreted it; it was all very exciting and I l've likely forgotten bits 😁

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Touty · 28/01/2025 00:46

Tittat50 · 22/09/2024 18:22

I loved it.

I laughed at the end. I think I would have found it too much if it didn't have that laughable grotesque end. You can cope with it because it's a bit silly ( if that makes sense).

I really liked Demi in it. I don't usually like her at all, her roles are always too serious, dull, one dimensional. This was something out of her usual type cast and because of that you really notice it.

A little bit contradictory when you consider the point the film makes and the amount of cosmetic surgery Demi has had. I was able to forget about that though and was totally absorbed throughout.

Yes how many cosmetic surgeries has Demi had??

LushLemonTart · 29/01/2025 21:37

Just watched it with dh 😲

Absolutely bizarre. The ending wtaf!!

westisbest1982 · 29/01/2025 22:30

Demi also did a Q&A at the Cine Lumiere the other day in London. Her Oscar campaign is going great guns and I see she’s the favourite to win.

Filmfan10 · 30/01/2025 00:08

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VictoriaSpungecake · 30/01/2025 00:34

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I've already seen The Stylist. It feels as though I watched it years ago because I barely remember it (yes, it was that memorable). I remember that I didn't really enjoy it - certainly not as much at The Substance. But each to their own, eh?

rewilded · 30/01/2025 09:15

VictoriaSpungecake · 27/01/2025 12:04

This film is going to become a cult classic, isn't it? It would be great if they had "singalong" screenings where people could quote favourite lines and sit there dressed up as the Sue-Liz monster woman - a bit like when everyone wore pink for the Barbie movie.

Am I the only one who thought it was absolute drivel?

rewilded · 30/01/2025 09:32

Gensola · 02/10/2024 22:09

I saw this last night and thought it was one of the worst films I’ve ever seen. The plot was weak and made no sense at all - given that the “other self” is in complete control during her seven days and Elisabeth didn’t have any awareness of that life, which was clear in her shock at various events once she was in control again, what would be the possible benefit to anyone of doing this? You’re not living the ideal life, someone else is.

It also absolutely fell victim to the stereotypes it was trying to satirise - aging portrayed as horrifying and grotesque and humiliating. Demi Moore and the other lead constantly naked when there was no need for it.

The gore and violence were completely over the top and disgusting, that may be “the point” but I found it revolting and I don’t think it was anything more than immature shock tactics.

It lost its way completely toward the end and should have been cut short at least 30 mins before it ended. Honestly would give it 0/10 and only didn’t leave because I was there with a friend and I thought it was mean to leave her on her own.

Agree with this 100%

VictoriaSpungecake · 30/01/2025 10:43

@Filmfan10 you could say that The Stylist was also quite derivative, referencing films like "The Silence of the Lambs". It's kind of the way films work - taking their influence from each other.

But I really shouldn't allow myself to be drawn into comparing female film makers in this way because there are too few women getting films on. I'd prefer to celebrate the success of both these women and hope to be able to see more work from both of them.

SocksAndTheCity · 30/01/2025 12:17

I saw The Stylist too, and whilst I barely remember it my notepad says it was dirge; leaden, poorly edited and with plot holes you could drive a truck through. There are plenty of films made by women that I've enjoyed far more, but each to their own, as @VictoriaSpungecake says - I didn't like Titane either (and I remember thinking I was the only person who didn't).

There's a whole thread of films just down the page that people enjoyed despite them being panned by others. Nobody likes everything (and some people liked Back To Black, which is one of the worst films I've ever seen).

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Nonbio46 · 30/01/2025 22:25

Saw this today and absolutely loved it. So glad I went with a friend because trying to describe it to her would’ve been a challenge. ‘ Bloody’ brilliant. 🤭

LushLemonTart · 31/01/2025 10:30

I was puzzled how someone with a decrepit leg could move so fast. Also how Sue hadn't noticed the food before she left the apartment?
But like dh says it was all mad anyway.

MonickerMonica · 03/02/2025 19:29

I've downloaded this one so intend watching it tonight.

lillylallylu · 04/02/2025 10:00

MonickerMonica · 03/02/2025 19:29

I've downloaded this one so intend watching it tonight.

buckle up, you're in for a bumpy (and brilliant) ride!

MonickerMonica · 04/02/2025 11:59

lillylallylu · 04/02/2025 10:00

buckle up, you're in for a bumpy (and brilliant) ride!

Ha yes am prepared and hopefully won't be disappointed. Didn't manage to watch it last night but definitely tonight! I shall return with my verdict. 🤔

MonickerMonica · 04/02/2025 21:13

Ok was that a fiver well spent? Errr nearly 🤔

I was glued to it up until the big blue dress scenes began. The monster made Elephant Man look absolutely gorgeous 🤢

The final 30 minutes or so were getting a little boring for me and went on far too long. More than a little really. Glad it was in the comfort of my living room so I could pause a few times for a break and not miss anything 🙄. In the cinema it might have been somewhat painful to sit that long 🫤

The film/story wasn't quite what I expected as I thought it was more about cosmetic surgery going badly wrong. Not something I would recommend highly and wouldn't watch again in a year or so as I would and have done with other movies.

Demi Moore did a good job though.

Nonbio46 · 05/02/2025 17:59

I was glued to it up until the big blue dress scenes began. The monster made Elephant Man look absolutely gorgeous 🤢

Monicker, you’re not wrong there! 😆

dothedanceofjoy · 25/02/2025 00:09

Watched this today. Thought there were some good bits in there, but generally overrated. Not nearly as clever as it thinks it is and about as subtle as a brick to the face. Schlock with an intellectual veneer but no actual, er, substance. God, all the themes and points it was making were just sledgehammered home.

Seems quite polarising, going by this thread!

Mistyglade · 23/03/2025 22:11

I thought DM was great but probably not Oscar worthy stuff. It felt like a mix up of Black Swan, the Fly, Requiem for a Dream and The Shining. Enjoyable for sure.

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