Movie Review

Demi Moore looks to turn back the clock in meta movie The Substance

Demi Moore in The Substance.

Photo courtesy of MUBI

The beauty standards put upon women (and, occasionally, men) in the movie and TV industry have long been ridiculous, although little has changed over the years. Many actors still feel the need to cosmetically enhance themselves in order to appear younger than they are to, in theory, snag roles for which they normally wouldn’t be considered.

In The Substance, Demi Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading star who’s about to be kicked off of her long-running exercise show because a network executive, the not-so-subtly-named Harvey (Dennis Quaid), wants someone “younger and hotter.” Soon thereafter, Elisabeth learns about a treatment called “The Substance” that would allow her to transform into an idealized version of herself.

Ah, but there’s a catch: She can only do it for seven days at a time, and if she fails to change back after a week, there are consequences. At first, her "younger" self, who goes by Sue (Margaret Qualley), is diligent about switching back and forth, but as Sue’s rising fame goes to her head, she becomes greedy, borrowing time from Elisabeth in a way that is detrimental to them both. It’s only a matter of time before things come to a head.

Written and directed by French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat, the film is one of the most stylish of the year. Fargeat uses unusual perspectives and eye-grabbing colors to enhance her storytelling, and the visuals and the plot complement each other extremely well. Particularly notable is her depiction of Harvey, an obnoxious and sexist person made even more disgusting by the way Fargeat zooms in on his face while he’s spouting nonsense, eating prawns, and more.

The wild premise of the film only increases in insanity as it goes along, and little can prepare viewers for just how off-the-wall it gets. Gradually, the stylishness gives way to grotesqueness, and Fargeat holds little back in this regard. Without divulging exactly what happens, suffice it to say that the unattainable sexiness that is shown in part of the film is counteracted by some extreme ugliness, and it’s as hilarious as it is off-putting.

Even as it exposes the shallow part of the entertainment industry, the film has a weird anachronism to it. The fall of Elisabeth and rise of Sue revolves around, of all things, a network TV exercise show, something that’s rarely been a ratings monster, and certainly not at the levels stated in the film. It could be argued that, with all of the other strange stuff going on, Fargeat wanted to divorce the film from any semblance of reality, but it still stands out.

While it’s easy to read parallels between the 61-year-old Moore and Elisabeth, the real genius in casting Moore in this particular part is that she has long been confident in her own body, appearing nude while pregnant on the cover of Vanity Fair and starring in Striptease, among other things. This role requires her to be more vulnerable than most other women her age would be willing to be, but her confidence still shines through. The combination of her physicality and her acting makes a big impact, especially as things start to devolve for her character.

On the other end of the spectrum is the objectification of Qualley in order to prove Fargeat’s larger point. Rarely is a moment missed to zoom in on her body as she takes over the dance show or to have Quaid’s character comment on her looks. Both Qualley and Quaid play their over-the-top roles very well, with each seeming to know exactly what they signed up for.

You may not find a more intensely entertaining film in 2024 than The Substance, one that effectively makes its argument about unreasonable body standards in Hollywood while delivering visuals audiences won’t soon forget. With standout performances by Moore, Qualley, and Quaid, it’s not to be missed for those who don’t have queasy stomachs.

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The Substance opens in theaters on September 20.

beauty standards film movies

Weekend Event Planner

These are the 15 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

Texas Ballet Theater presents Diversions

Photo courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater

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Anyone looking to get out of the house and take in some entertainment this weekend in and around Dallas will find a nice variety of things to do. Choices include five theater productions, three comedians, a symphony concert, two different operas, a concert from a notable indie artist, a dance production, a drum showcase, and the final days of an art exhibition.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. If you want more options, check out our calendar for an even longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, February 26

Echo Theatre presents You Must Wear a Hat
A world premiere by C. Meaker, You Must Wear a Hat features Tuesday & Weeks, who make hats on the Great Barrier Reef, waiting for the world to end. The fish have died, the coral won’t hold on for long, and it’s been a considerable time since they saw another person. It is very, very hot outside. You must wear a hat. They pass the time together, making hats — and deciding whether or not to ... keep making hats. The production runs through March 14 at Bath House Cultural Center.

Dallas Theater Center presents Where We Stand
Following a run at Stage West Theatre in Fort Worth, the co-production Where We Stand will be presented by Dallas Theater Center. Your town stands at a crossroads. A neighbor — desperate and out of options — has struck a dangerous bargain. Now, their fate lies in your hands. In this interactive play presented as a town hall gathering, the audience must choose: mercy or justice? Liz Mikel plays a lone storyteller who weaves a world through music and magic — part fable, part call-and-response. The future of the town — and the fate of a soul — hang in the balance. The production runs through March 22 at Kalita Humphreys Theater.

Pocket Sandwich Theatre presents Arsenic & Old Lace
Arsenic & Old Lace is a classic about the crazy Brewster family led by Mortimer Brewster. He's about to announce his engagement to the preacher’s daughter, is an author and newsman, and may be the only sane member of this group. Abby and Martha, his spinster aunts, are “helping” lonely old gentlemen to their heavenly rewards, while his brother, “Teddy Roosevelt,” digs the Panama Canal, and brother Jonathan has been turned into a Frankenstein look-a-like. The production runs through March 28 at Pocket Sandwich Theatre in Carrollton.

Friday, February 27

Hyena's presents Adam Carolla
Comedian Adam Carolla has dipped his toes in almost every aspect of the entertainment industry, co-hosting the Loveline radio show with Dr. Drew Pinsky, co-hosting The Man Show with Jimmy Kimmel, appearing on reality shows like Dancing with the Stars and Celebrity Apprentice, writing books, and even appearing in a few movies. He's best known these days for his podcast, The Adam Carolla Show. He'll perform four times through Saturday at Hyena's Comedy Nightclub.

TheaterWorksUSA presents Dog Man: The Musical
Dog Man: The Musical is a heartwarming and hysterical production based on the worldwide bestselling book series by Dav Pilkey. It follows the chronicles of a canine superhero who loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Can he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder? And will George and Harold finish their show before lunchtime? The production will have three performances through Saturday at Majestic Theatre.

Family Music Theatre presents Disney's Frozen
Set in the enchanting kingdom of Arendelle, Disney's Frozen follows sisters Anna and Elsa as they navigate fear, love, and the power of embracing who you are. Featuring hit songs like "Let It Go," "Love is an Open Door," and "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?," the enchanting family-friendly production is filled with wonder, heart, and hope. It runs through March 14 at New Vida Church of God in Dallas.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition"
Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition is the composer's musical “gallery crawl,” featuring the titular pictures on exhibit, plus “traveling music” in-between. Artist-in-Residence Leonidas Kavakos takes a turn on the podium at this concert and leads the concertmaster in Prokofiev’s Concerto. The program will also include Ravel's Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a Dead Princess). The concert will have three performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.

The Dallas Opera presents Don Carlo
Set amid the tumult of the Spanish Inquisition, Verdi’s masterpiece Don Carlo has it all: forbidden love, heartfelt bromance, searing family drama, and political intrigue to spare. King Philip II and the fearsome Grand Inquisitor battle for power, and Don Carlo, the king’s heir, struggles to conceal his passion for the Queen, who’s also his stepmother. Foes and friends maneuver and manipulate in one of opera’s most magnificent masterworks. There will be four performances through March 7 at Winspear Opera House.

Aimee Mann in concert
Singer Aimee Mann comes to Dallas as part of her 22 ½ Lost In Space Anniversary Tour in celebration of her 2002 album, Lost in Space. Mann has released 10 albums in her career, most recently Queens of the Summer Hotel in 2021. She'll be joined by special guest Jonathan Coulton. The concert takes place at Longhorn Ballroom.

Texas Ballet Theater presents Diversions
Texas Ballet Theater's mixed repertoire production, Diversions, features four diverse works that showcase unparalleled versatility. The works include Violin Concerto in D, a sweeping classical marvel of white tutus and tiaras set to Tchaikovsky’s masterful score; Diversion of Angels, Martha Graham’s modern masterpiece exploring the poetic complexities of love in its many forms through bold, vivid choreography; Bolero, a heartfelt tribute blending the timeless sounds of life with contemporary expression; and Company B, a neoclassical ballet that is an energetic wartime homage set to the iconic swing rhythms of the Andrews Sisters. The production will have four performances through Sunday at Wyly Theatre.

Eisemann Center presents Drum Tao
Drum Tao features a fusion of traditional Japanese drumming and modern spectacle. Renowned for their choreography, rhythms, and artistry, Drum Tao has earned international acclaim for their innovative take on Wadaiko drumming. They will perform at Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson.

Saturday, February 28

The Dallas Opera presents The Three Little Pigs
While adults can enjoy Don Carlo, the Dallas Opera will also present a kid-friendly production, The Three Little Pigs. True to the classic tale, three little pigs prepare to build their separate houses to withstand an impending visit by the hungry wolf. Only this time, the pigs are named for famous characters in Mozart operas, and they sing their little hearts out as they debate the merits of straw, sticks, and brick as building materials. The English-language, 30-minute mini-opera is perfect for young attention spans. It takes place at Winspear Opera House.

Mae Martin: The Possum
Mae Martin is an award-winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer who hosts the podcast, Handsome, alongside Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster. They can currently be seen in Outsanding: A Comedy Revolution, a Netflix documentary that explores the history of LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy and its importance as an instrument for social change over the past five decades. They'll perform at Texas Theatre.

Sunday, March 1

Crow Museum of Asian Art presents Eliza Au: "Squaring the Circle" closing day
Sunday will be the final day to view Eliza Au: "Squaring the Circle" at Crow Museum of Asian Art. Showcasing intricately designed ceramic sculptures by the Texas-born artist, the major solo exhibition explores ornament through the built environment, ceramics, and design. Au is the second artist featured in the Crow Museum’s Texas Ties exhibition series, which showcases artists with connections to the Lone Star State.

Zarna Garg: Million Dollar Excuses
Zarna Garg is one in a billion, an Indian immigrant mom stand-up comedian who believes brown women everywhere have a right to laugh at anything and anyone they want, including the sacred cows: brown men and their mothers. She performs clean, family-friendly comedy while wearing her kurta and bindi on stage and draws audiences into her authentic Indian world full of ironies, merciless maternal advice, and fresh observations on American life. She'll perform at Majestic Theatre.

Photo courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater

Texas Ballet Theater presents Diversions at Wyly Theatre, February 27-March 1.

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