First off, I want to caution everyone against trusting the over-the-top 5-star reviews. It seems like some viewers are easily impressed or completely missed the point of the film.
Honestly, The Substance had the potential to be something more—a solid 6.5/10 maybe—but unfortunately, it ended up falling flat. The cinematography and color schemes were visually appealing, especially with the use of analogous colors that gave the film a cohesive aesthetic. And to be fair, the pacing in the beginning was strong. It got to the heart of the story without dragging anything out, and for a moment, I thought it was going to be one of those classic Hollywood films centered around Demi Moore and her performance.
But about halfway through, it completely lost direction. What started as a film with promise devolved into something chaotic and disappointing. This was where the film could have really shined—offering a deeper emotional or cathartic experience—but instead, it became a mishmash of forced ideas that felt more like filler than actual substance (pun intended). The “monstro elisasue” sequence, in particular, was ridiculous and unnecessary, taking the film from decent to absurd.
What also stood out, but not in a good way, was how blatantly the film showed that the industry is run by clueless men, all trying to amuse themselves. Everything about the narrative felt shallow and self-serving, as if the entire plot existed to cater to the egos of a few rather than telling a meaningful story. The themes of narcissism and the need for external validation were so prominent that any message about self-acceptance became lost. Instead of embracing individuality, the characters seemed obsessed with approval from others, feeding into a toxic cycle of self-worth based on appearance and outside opinions.
The message about loving yourself was there, buried somewhere under all the clutter, but the film failed to deliver it effectively. What could have been a powerful reflection on self-acceptance and being true to yourself just ended up feeling hollow.
In the end, The Substance is not a film I’d recommend rushing to the theater for. It had some visually striking moments and a promising start, but the execution was weak and the themes were handled poorly. Save yourself the time and wait for it to come out on streaming services if you’re still curious.
Overall, I’d rate it a 5/10. A film with potential, but one that fell short of its own ambitions.