A Review: The Substance (2024)

The Substance has quickly become one of the year's most talked-about movies after being released in 2024. As a psychological thriller consisting of sci-fi and body horror elements, it has received intense praise and attention from audiences and critics. So, as a thriller lover, I was beyond excited to watch this film with the expectation of a deep and thought-provoking story and an unforgettable plot. Unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations… at all.

I would be lying if I said there was nothing I liked about this movie. The message it aimed to convey was strong and important, and its approach to certain themes was certainly impressive. It presents a bold concept, blending body horror, social commentary, and psychological distress, which is a wonderful combination. The way The Substance explores these ideas, though, felt somewhat unpolished, especially for a film that has received such high praise and features such a professional cast.

The Substance touches on aging, beauty standards, and identity at its core. These rich and complex themes could have made a truly memorable psychological horror experience if explored fully and truly, however, the film never truly dives deep into these ideas. Of course, it doesn’t necessarily make The Substance a bad film, but for me, it does mean that it misses an opportunity to be actually impactful.

It wouldn’t be fair to deny that The Substance is a well-crafted film in terms of style and atmosphere. With its striking cinematography, breathtaking visuals, and impactful horror elements, the movie creates a difference. But for me, especially psychological horror works best when it connects emotionally with the audience. The best horror films make you feel the protagonist’s fear, obsession, or internal conflict. Instead, The Substance continuously keeps the audience at a distance, making it difficult to fully invest in the character’s transformation. What’s called “elevated horror” which has been popular in recent years is delivering disturbing images with strong character developments and a deep narrative. The Substance attempts to follow this trend of elevated horror but fails in the end as it mostly focuses on the “shock value” rather than a meaningful story. With amazing grotesque visuals and many unsettling moments, it gives you the disturbance, but these don’t necessarily serve the story. It does not mean the horror isn’t effective, but the shock alone does not create the lasting impact that the movie aims.

As a whole, The Substance is far from a bad film. Its visuals, themes, cast, and execution of body horror are undeniably strong. However, for a film that runs almost two and a half hours, I found it shallow and emotionally detached. There are those kinds of films that start off promising, making one think they’ll love them, only to be disappointed by the end. For me, The Substance was one of those. It had so much potential, yet it ultimately left me feeling disconnected and surprised at how overwhelmingly positive the reviews have been.

Long story short, if you’re looking for a visually compelling body horror experience, The Substance might be for you. But if you’re hoping for a movie that will leave you thinking long after it’s over, you may find yourself wanting more.