By Jonathan Klotz | Updated 3 seconds ago Every year, there’s an outcry from audiences for Hollywood to return to producing more original movies rather than turning everything into a franchise, and every year, there’s an intrepid independent film that tries to break through the blockbuster noise and find an audience. 2024’s The Substance was one of those films that came from nowhere. With a modest budget of $18 million, it went on to rake in award nominations thanks to a blend of sci-fi and body horror that matches the legendary work of David Cronenberg. Since debuting on HBO Max, the little film that could hasn’t dropped beneath third place, proving there’s a massive audience out there for smart and original sci-fi. Starring Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle, a television star considered over the hill at the age of 50, The Substance predictably tackles the issue of how women are viewed by society once they reach a certain age. It’s been an issue for Tinsel Town since before 1950’s Sunset Boulevard, but under the watchful eye of talented French writer-director Coralie Fargeat, the old tropes feel new again. It helps that the film is equal parts weird, horrifying, and funny. After Elisabeth injects the substance to achieve “a younger, more beautiful, more perfect” version of herself, Sue, played by Margaret Qualley, crawls out of her back. It’s a shot that would make fans of Videodrome stand and cheer. The moment we meet the younger, seemingly perfect Sue, you know exactly where this story is going. Sue and Elisabeth, both part of the same woman, start to drift apart. The arguments and fighting between the two are inevitable, but like a car crash on the side of the highway, you can’t help but rubberneck and watch as it gets worse, then worse than that, and somehow finds a way to subvert your expectations with a wild third act. Both Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley were nominated for multiple awards for their performances, and Moore’s was a long-awaited comeback by one of the 90s’ biggest stars. It’s easy to forget that she was once the highest-paid actress in Hollywood. It’s too early to tell if The Substance will launch a third act for Moore, but there’s no denying she’s able to show more range and talent in 10 minutes as Elisabeth than she did throughout all of the 2000s. The Substance is one of those films that’s destined to become a cult classic. During its limited theatrical run, the film made $88 million, or nearly three times as much as Borderlands , with a budget of only $18 million. Watching the film, it feels like $15 million was spent on prosthetics, blood, and the gruesome special effects that end up stealing the show, but to be honest, it’s better if you see all the money on screen instead of wondering why films cost $300 million to make these days. Coralie Fargeat is now two-for-two with cult hits, having released Revenge in 2017. Given how different the two films are, who knows what’s next? The Substance, which keeps attracting new viewers on HBO Max , is a must-watch for anyone bemoaning the lack of experimental, weird films from the major studios. Maybe we’ll get more films that aren’t afraid to push the envelope instead of Disney trying to keep making viewers care about the Marvel Multiverse. GFR SCORE Source: https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/substance-modern-classic.html