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The Substance - what's the price of your youth?
Substance, starring Demi Moore, was one of the most talked about films of the year, especially after it won the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival. This black comedy with elements of body horror poses difficult questions about the price of youth, imposed beauty standards and a society where appearances are often paramount. At first glance, this is an unusual and even repulsive film, but it is deeper than it seems.
The film's plot
The story centres on Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a once famous Oscar-winning actress who now works as an aerobics instructor. On her 50th birthday, she is fired by her boss on the grounds of age.
In this moment the typical problem of show business - the adoration of youth - can be seen. Elizabeth has a small accident, after which she is offered a mysterious remedy that unlocks her DNA and can make her the "best version" of herself - young and perfect.
However, the magic of the remedy lasts only a week, and therein lies the price, which, as it turns out later, proves to be too high.
In this moment the typical problem of show business - the adoration of youth - can be seen. Elizabeth has a small accident, after which she is offered a mysterious remedy that unlocks her DNA and can make her the "best version" of herself - young and perfect.
However, the magic of the remedy lasts only a week, and therein lies the price, which, as it turns out later, proves to be too high.
Relevance and social implication
Substance is not just a horror with elements of surrealism, but also a metaphorical parable. The film raises an important theme of acceptance of one's age and inner fears of aging that many people, especially women, face. Beauty standards imposed by society demand youthfulness and impeccable appearance, especially for those who work in public spheres. This social "contract" between youth and success is particularly acute for women, who are led to believe that without beauty their value is diminished.
The film also touches on another theme - the denial of the real self. By sacrificing herself, Elizabeth gradually loses her individuality, changing with a younger and more perfect version of herself, but realises that behind this "perfection" there is an emptiness. This transformation is shown through visually metaphorical images: long corridors, slow motion scenes, silence and blank stares of the heroines.
The film also touches on another theme - the denial of the real self. By sacrificing herself, Elizabeth gradually loses her individuality, changing with a younger and more perfect version of herself, but realises that behind this "perfection" there is an emptiness. This transformation is shown through visually metaphorical images: long corridors, slow motion scenes, silence and blank stares of the heroines.
Symbolism and metaphors
Substance abounds in symbols, from the construction of scenes to the colour palette and characteristic details.
One of the symbols is Elizabeth's yellow coat, which she wears constantly - it symbolises her individuality left behind. Also telling is the beginning of the film, where the yolk of the egg is separated from the egg white, which can be interpreted as a symbol of the heroine's split personality.
This split personality is reinforced by the scene where Sue, a younger version of Elizabeth, pulls a chicken out of herself, a symbol of jocks and fitness culture. This symbolism emphasises the conflict between inner and outer, and self-destructive tendencies.
One of the symbols is Elizabeth's yellow coat, which she wears constantly - it symbolises her individuality left behind. Also telling is the beginning of the film, where the yolk of the egg is separated from the egg white, which can be interpreted as a symbol of the heroine's split personality.
This split personality is reinforced by the scene where Sue, a younger version of Elizabeth, pulls a chicken out of herself, a symbol of jocks and fitness culture. This symbolism emphasises the conflict between inner and outer, and self-destructive tendencies.
Themes of growing up and self-esteem
One of the main themes of the film is accepting one's age and realising one's worth despite physical changes. Elizabeth has not thought about ageing until she sees the first signs of age on herself and suddenly panic overwhelms her. This moment illustrates how, for many women, the fear of aging becomes an obsession. Despite her apparent confidence and youthfulness, even Sue, her younger version, is dissatisfied with herself and strives to be even more "perfect".
The cast selection is also interesting. Demi Moore once dated a younger Ashton Kutcher, and her choice for the role of an aging actress is based on real-life experiences of age and self-esteem. This technique in film is called "casting with reference", when an actor is cast whose life is parallel to the character. This adds depth to the perception of the characters and allows the viewer to feel the drama of the situation.
The cast selection is also interesting. Demi Moore once dated a younger Ashton Kutcher, and her choice for the role of an aging actress is based on real-life experiences of age and self-esteem. This technique in film is called "casting with reference", when an actor is cast whose life is parallel to the character. This adds depth to the perception of the characters and allows the viewer to feel the drama of the situation.
The price of youth and the future
Gradually, the film brings the viewer to the question: how much are you willing to give up for youth? Elizabeth starts with a one-week course, but soon decides to extend it, ignoring the rules. The consequences are not long in coming - her body begins to deteriorate, first "ageing" her arm. This episode can be considered a metaphor for how we pull from the future for the sake of fleeting comfort in the present.
Many scenes in the film, filled with horror, show that the obsession with youth and idealism can lead to the complete destruction of an individual. At the climax, when Elizabeth is already turning into an old woman, she looks at her former portrait and realises that she once did not need to strive for "perfection".
Many scenes in the film, filled with horror, show that the obsession with youth and idealism can lead to the complete destruction of an individual. At the climax, when Elizabeth is already turning into an old woman, she looks at her former portrait and realises that she once did not need to strive for "perfection".
The eternal race for beauty standards
In the pursuit of beauty, people often go to extremes - surgeries, injections, diets. The film asks the question: is it worth it? It also looks at women's dependence on societal standards and the male gaze. The film repeatedly shows scenes of men stressing the need for a woman to be young and beautiful, creating unnecessary pressure. The climax comes when Elizabeth realises that she has destroyed herself for the sake of the standards that have been imposed on her. This moment is particularly powerful when she sees a young girl in a swimming costume on stage and realises that there is no place in the world for her but the young ideal.
Substance challenges the idea of "perfectionism". We all know that time is inexorable, but when faced with the first signs of aging, many begin to consider changes in appearance. The film illustrates how obsession with ideals can turn a person into a caricature of themselves, and hints at the need to embrace the present.
Substance challenges the idea of "perfectionism". We all know that time is inexorable, but when faced with the first signs of aging, many begin to consider changes in appearance. The film illustrates how obsession with ideals can turn a person into a caricature of themselves, and hints at the need to embrace the present.
Substance is more than just a film about youth and beauty. It is a frank satire on a culture that sees age as a disadvantage and looks as the basis for determining one's worth. This film makes us think about the value of self-esteem, independent of external expectations, and invites us to stop for a moment and simply accept ourselves for who we are.