The Substance Is One Of The Angriest Movies I’ve Ever Seen, And We Need More Like It

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Some dudes may scoff at this, but I consider myself a feminist.

As a Black man, I can only share my own experiences and perspectives. I can’t truly understand what it’s like to be a woman, so I respect and believe women when they share their experiences with me. My comments are focused on what it’s like to be a Black man, and films dealing with that experience.

It’s wonderful when filmmakers create truly impactful movies that explore what it means to be a woman, and Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance is a perfect example. It’s easily one of the most powerfully angry films I’ve ever watched, and I want to share my thoughts on it.

First Off, None Of The Men In This Movie Come Out Looking Good

I really enjoyed a book called This Girl’s a Killer by Emma C. Wells that I read last year. It follows a pharmaceutical sales representative who secretly murders men who prey on others, justifying her actions with the belief they deserved it. The book doesn’t portray men in a particularly positive light – most are unlikeable – though a few redeeming characters do exist.

Unlike some films, The Substance only features one male character who might be considered decent. The main villain is Harvey, a TV producer played by Dennis Quaid. The movie often shows him in unpleasant detail – eating messily or speaking down to Elisabeth Sparkle, Demi Moore’s character, instead of having a normal conversation with her.

I honestly haven’t seen a movie portray men so negatively. The older men are childish, the romantic interests are only interested in a quick fling, and even the seemingly decent male character – someone from Elisabeth’s life before her fame – mostly seems surprised that a celebrity would date him.

Ultimately, you sympathize with both of them. Elisabeth, despite being a successful woman with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, finds herself accepting a date simply because her confidence has suffered after turning fifty.

The content builds tension and frustration slowly, eventually leading to a dramatic peak, which I’ll discuss now.

The Film Also Acts As An Indictment On Not Only The Entertainment Industry’s Treatment Toward Women, But Also Society As A Whole

While The Substance fits comfortably within the body horror genre, it doesn’t quite reach the level of classics like David Cronenberg’s films. Instead, it focuses specifically on the horrors experienced by women. The director discussed this unique approach in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

Body horror isn’t just about monsters; it’s the everyday experience of living in a body that’s constantly scrutinized and judged, especially as it changes with age or through life events like pregnancy. For many women, simply existing in a body subject to these pressures is a form of body horror.

The film clearly expresses anger at how society makes women feel about aging. As a man, I’m bothered by gray hairs, but I don’t see aging as a terrible thing – more just irritating. However, the movie powerfully illustrates the unfair double standards faced by women. For example, Elisabeth, who hosts an exercise show, is being replaced simply because a man thinks she’s too old – and she’s only 50! It seems logical that women her age would appreciate seeing someone they can relate to.

However, the film industry, dominated by men, forces her character into a tragic exit. This fuels her internal self-loathing, reaching a peak when she becomes a monster and is ultimately beheaded, showering the audience with blood. It’s a shocking and furious conclusion to a film that simmers with quiet rage.

This film carries a message about self-love, though it’s somewhat hidden beneath its strong critique of patriarchal structures. It’s a powerfully angry movie, and exactly the kind of film I’ve been wanting to see. While Women Talking is good, I much prefer the raw energy of women expressing their anger – and that’s essentially what The Substance delivers. I’m thrilled to have experienced it.

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2026-01-21 15:09