An Excellent Demi Moore Can't Save Coralie Fargeat's Stylish, Redundant Body Horror

Fever-Dream Silliness

Coralie Fargeat's second feature, The Substance, is a lurid, high-concept body horror that boasts a stellar performance from Demi Moore but is ultimately undone by its repetitive and underdeveloped narrative.

Narrative Rehash

The film follows Sarah (Qualley), a recovering addict who travels to a remote Croatian island with her wealthy and domineering boyfriend, Jeff (Bennett). When Jeff mysteriously disappears, Sarah finds herself alone and hunted by a strange, flesh-eating substance that seems to be taking over the island. As Sarah fights for survival, she must confront her own demons and the true nature of her relationship with Jeff.

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