The Substance is a 2024 body horror movie with a unique plot and stunning visuals that has captivated audiences. This movie, which was written, directed, co-edited and co-produced by Coralie Fargeat, combines an eerie but interesting story with artistic filmmaking. The movie, which stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, is about vanity, identity and what happens when you change who you are. The journey used to film the movie across France adds to its mystery by showing a variety of places that bring the scary world to life.
The Substance Plot Summary
Elisabeth Sparkle, played by Demi Moore, is a famous actress from the past who is celebrating her 50th birthday at the beginning of the movie. Harvey, her producer (Dennis Quaid), fires her from her aerobics TV show because she is too old, which is bad for her career. Elisabeth’s sadness gets worse when she crashes her car while looking at a billboard that shows her faded image. A strange nurse at the hospital gives her a flash drive advertising “The Substance,” a fake serum that promises to make you young and perfect.
Elisabeth uses the serum to make Sue (Margaret Qualley), a younger version of herself, because she wants a second chance. Sue and Elisabeth share consciousness, but they have to switch bodies every week. They have to be very careful to follow this process exactly or terrible things will happen. Sue loves her newfound youth and fame, but Elisabeth’s life is a misery as she ages quickly and hates herself. Sue doesn’t follow the schedule, which makes things more tense and causes horrible changes for Elisabeth. The story builds up to a climax of chaos, with a grotesque merging of the two characters and a bloody, unforgettable ending.
Where was ‘The Substance’ filmed?
A huge 108 days passed between the start of principal photography for The Substance on May 9, 2022, and its end in October 2022. Coralie Fargeat chose France as the main filming location because it has a long history of movies, a wide range of landscapes, and good production incentives, such as the 40% Tax Rebate for International Productions (TRIP).
Épinay Studios, Seine-Saint-Denis
Many scenes that took place inside were filmed at the famous Épinay Studios in Seine-Saint-Denis, which is close to Paris. This old studio has been the site of many famous productions, such as Jean Cocteau’s 1946 Beauty and the Beast. The complex prosthetic and practical effects were captured very well here, including the scenes where Elisabeth changes into a different person and the bloody chaos at the end.
Côte d’Azur, France
Scenes that were supposed to be set in Los Angeles were filmed in the beautiful Côte d’Azur region of France. These places were on the list;
As a stand-in for a hospital, the Anthéa Theatre was used to show the first time Elisabeth meets “The Substance.” The Marineland Parking Lot was also used for more exterior shots. Film was made of famous palm trees in Cannes to make a look that is very Los Angeles. Scenes set in Nice showed Elisabeth’s journey and Sue’s rise to fame in a city setting. The locations in Carros and Saint-Laurent-du-Var gave the movie’s exteriors more variety and added to its fake-Hollywood look.The French Riviera—with its unique mix of natural beauty and urban charm was the perfect place to make a copy of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles
Coralie Fargeat had originally planned to shoot for two days in Los Angeles, but in the end she chose to film tableau shots of palm trees in France. This choice cut down on the amount of time spent shooting outside and made the film’s style more consistent. A still background from Rosco Digital was the only part of the movie that was shot in—Los Angeles.
Use new film techniques
The close-ups in the movie were both intimate and striking thanks to cinematographer—Benjamin Kračun‘s use of the Alexa LF camera and old Canon K35 lenses. Practical effects were very important, and one of the most amazing ones was an infinity tunnel scene made from bicycle tires surrounded by LED tube lights.
The work that went into prosthetics and special effects, like turning Elisabeth into a hunchback and filming the horrifying birth of “Elisasue,” was very hard. The birth scene alone took 15 days to shoot. In the last month, the crew used a “lab shoot” method to get detailed shots of things like Elisabeth’s change, the injections and Sue’s appearance.
Over 21,000 liters of fake blood were used in the movie, and many scenes were shot in just one take to make the practical effects stand out more. The audience’s final bloodbath was a logistical feat that needed careful planning.
The Substance Cast:
Deborah Sparkle is played by Demi Moore.
Demi Moore gives a complex performance as Elisabeth, showing the character’s sadness and growth in a subtle way. Moore worked with a movement coach and did a lot of the physical parts of how her character got worse on her own.
Sue played by Margaret Qualley
Margaret Qualley gives Sue a magnetic energy that shows how confident and hedonistic she was as a young woman. Even though there were problems, like a tough dance sequence, Qualley’s performance was outstanding.
Dennis Quaid as Harvey
Dennis Quaid’s performance as the shady producer adds a level of realism and tension. Originally cast with Ray Liotta, Quaid’s arrival in the middle of filming gave the set new life.
Is ‘The Substance’ Worth Watching?
The Substance is a brave look at who we are, how much fame costs, and what it means to be vain. It’s a memorable movie experience thanks to its mix of body horror, dark humor, and striking visuals. Fans of both horror and arthouse movies should see this movie. It has great acting, creative filmmaking and themes that will make you think.
Every frame of Coralie Fargeat’s film The Substance is full of meaning and style,—making it a standout in its genre. This movie takes you on an exciting and scary journey that you won’t soon forget whether you’re drawn to it for its complicated plot or its stunning visuals.
Watch ‘The Substance’ Official Trailer
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