The Substanceis simultaneously a graphic body horror guaranteed to make audiences squirm and a sly commentary on contemporary societal issues – making it extremely reminiscent of another underrated genre gem from 1989. The best horror movies draw their power from their allegorical significance. Over the years, horror movies have been used to unpack everything from nuclear anxiety to economic inequality, giving them a unique ability to make effective social critiques. WhileThe Substance’s messageis hardly subtle, it is a key part of the story – much like its cult 1980s predecessor.
Starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley,The Substanceaddresses a range of resonant themes throughout its story. Moore’s character – an aging superstar, desperate to recapture her youth after being unceremoniously fired from her show – experiments with a black market drug, birthing a younger, more beautiful version of herself from her back.These two competing personalities hold a mirror up to impossibly high beauty standards, misogyny, physical obsession, and ageismbefore the movie concludes in spectacularly gruesome fashion. While its themes are somewhat different, this approach is redolent of the 1989 horror movie,Society.
Brian Yuzna’s Society Is The Perfect Accompaniment To The Substance
The Substance Was Clearly Inspired By The Earlier Film
From a stylistic perspective,Societyis perhaps the most significant influence onThe Substance. Directed by Brian Yuzna, the movie takes place in an eerily familiar world where class is everything. An adopted child of a wealthy family begins to notice strange goings-on – rich acquaintances exhibiting grotesque mutations and engaging in seemingly murderous behavior. When he finally gets to the truth, he realizes that his family and their cabal of wealthy associates are a different species, capable of distorting their bodies and literally sucking the nutrients out of those beneath them on the social spectrum.
Societyis available to stream on Apple TV+.
Although it is more concerned with class than beauty standards,SocietyandThe Substancebrilliantly use graphic body horrorto tell their stories. For instance, whereThe Substanceends with the hideously transformed “Monstro Elisasue” attempting to host the New Year’s Eve show – disgorging breasts and various organs in the process –Societyends with the infamous “shunting” sequence.This particularly gruesome scene sees the monstrous antagonists fuse togetherin a writhing mass of flesh before orgiastically absorbing their victims. Once seen, it is difficult to forget.
The design of Elisasue owes a clear debt toSociety. The corruption of flesh through incredibly elaborate prosthetics is a hallmark of body horror, yetthese two movies are perhaps archetypal examples of how effective special effects can contribute to an unforgettable finale. As a viewer, if the carnage brought about by Elisasue’s transformation appealed to you,Societyis an absolute must-watch.
Both Society And The Substance Address Important (But Distinct) Social Issues
They Are Powerful Metaphors That Challenge The Viewer
Beyond the clear visual connection,SocietyandThe Substance’s most significant link is in their metaphorical message.The Substancetakes aim at multiple targets, skewering the male gaze (through Dennis Quiad’s loathsome Harvey), the inevitably doomed pursuit of physical perfection, pride, the superficiality of skin-deep beauty, and the entire modern self-improvement industry – to name but a few. This helps make it one of the most memorable horror movies in recent memory, since its evocation of such resonant themes is impossible to ignore.
Although it does address beauty (and the inability to trust what you see on the surface), [Society] is most obviously a comment on modern capitalism and the parasitic way in which the rich consume the poor.
Likewise,Societyuses its genuinely disturbing horror to make an important social point. Although it does address beauty (and the inability to trust what you see on the surface), it is most obviously a comment on modern capitalism and the parasitic way in which the rich consume the poor. The fact that the aristocratic elites literally suck their victims dry isn’t exactly subtle. However,it is a powerful visual representation of a real concern that many people have– one that only seems more pertinent, three decades on.
The Substance Improves On Society’s Template
The 2024 Film Is Stronger In Many Ways
Societyis a significant cult horror movie – if only for the unbridled weirdness of the “shunting” scene. However,The Substancetakes many of the elements that made Yuzna’s movie successful and refines them, resulting in a movie that maintains its visual impact and strengthens its message. InSociety, the metaphor is extremely straightforward. By contrast,The Substanceutilizes a multifaceted societal critique that is open to interpretation. This makes for a much more rewarding viewing experience that yields more meaning with each rewatch.
Societyholds a mixed 64% score onRotten Tomatoes, compared toThe Substance’s 90%.
There are also more prosaic elements that work better in the 2024 movie. The script is sharper, and more bleakly funny – although both films use humor effectively. Moore and Qualley also deliver outstanding performances that surpass anything inSociety. As evidenced by itsmultiple horror movie references,The Substanceis acutely aware of its genre heritage. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t capable of improving on tried and tested formulae.
