The Substance Movie Review: A Chilling Dive into Beauty and Body Horror

Does The Substance Cost Money?

This question remains unanswered - when it comes to how The Substance is actually distributed to those clients, it turns out that this aspect is left deliberately open to interpretation.

We only witness Elizabeth going to an abandoned warehouse and receiving those chemicals, there isn’t an exchange or an obvious transaction with anybody else on that side. Despite not witnessing the exchange of payment, we are led to believe that it must occur because she is later referred to as a client. There is that mystery surrounding the organization, that’s one reason for which it’s so captivating and why there’s such a suspense surrounding those characters - and the plot twists throughout.

How Many People Are Using The Substance?

The audience only witnesses Elizabeth using this mysterious chemical - when it comes to those other people, we aren’t privy to any information - we are given only glimpses that show there’s multiple lockers waiting for other clients. Even in how they use that substance, that aspect is kept to a certain extent, which allows it to be interpreted in several ways. As the film is about this journey, Elizabeth’s relationship to the substance, it would be extremely difficult to identify any of those people who are using that substance. In some cases - where individuals aren’t adhering to the strict rules (a 7 day rule as specified), we get to witness those consequences - as the narrative unfolds.

Who Is The Substance’s Supplier?

Jeremy-Irons-in-Dead-Ringers-and-Meryl-Streep-in-Death-Becomes-Her Image

The identity of the supplier of that substance is never revealed, there’s that mystery that surrounds its source and those involved with that operation.. Elizabeth gets her first exposure to that chemical at the recommendation of a doctor (who doesn’t disclose her information - who that person could possibly be. ). This makes those questions (particularly how those chemicals were produced and their sources - how those companies could even exist in that world), leaving it as one of those things that makes The Substance even more engaging.

Why Was There Extra Activator Fluid?

Demi Moore Lying on Her Bed Looking Scared in The Substance Image

As those characters receive that substance - Elizabeth is given an extra amount of the activator liquid at the beginning of the process (which doesn’t need to be utilized to the last drop), the reason behind it’s included, but not fully explained and its implications. There are some questions surrounding why those additional chemicals are being supplied. As The Substance moves through its plot – those details come to the forefront – those questions about that substance will continue to be unanswered.

It is that mysterious organization which keeps the movie intense - and, keeps that plot so intriguing - with those moments. The activator fluid - there’s that hint of foreboding which is necessary for this to take place. As those characters continue to go on this journey, it will leave the audience wondering, what might those other characters be hiding.

How Did Elizabeth Survive Giving Birth To Sue?

When it comes to those scenes: Elizabeth is giving birth - this violent birth scene - involving both Elizabeth and Sue’s creation from the same DNA. . Those characters as separate parts merge together, this has a big impact on the story as it is developed - a story of two characters. While it might appear as though she has survived that scene (without those consequences), she has still suffered.

One reason this is such a disturbing sequence is that it is not entirely clear - how Elizabeth survives this process and the damage it’s caused. As viewers will discover how that story continues and those challenges involving her. There are some clues to suggest why those characters were able to survive: it could be because of that substance and its other properties that have not yet been revealed.

How Was Elisabeth Selected For The Substance?

Demi Moore's Elizabeth stares at a snow globe in The Substance Image

The film doesn’t tell the audience exactly why those characters, (including the reason that Elizabeth chooses to engage in the procedure), those are things that make the mystery continue.

It's intriguing, as Elizabeth (whose role in this narrative is so crucial to the events - that’s driving those relationships as she is confronted with a series of decisions which force her to choose who she wants to be. Those choices can come at a cost, those moments when those characters are faced with these difficulties - it’s a reflection of just how far some will go - those characters who are in that position are likely to make that same choice.

Has The Substance Ever Gone Wrong Before?

Sue holds a glass and twirls her hair in <a href=https://www.moviesnewstalk.com/movies-lists/the-substance-movie-everything-we-know-so-far>The Substance movie</a> still Image

There’s that element of suspense (which keeps those characters so engaging) in this particular sequence: when it comes to that company’s relationship to The Substance. It makes viewers question whether this is an isolated incident (involving that activator fluid that’s been miscalculated, it does happen from time to time). This does give an indication those characters might have experienced those same things but the film doesn’t show those details as it goes on through the story. It leaves that aspect open to interpretation - which is another aspect that makes The Substance so much fun.

Why Does Elizabeth’s Face Emerge At The End?

This question is answered within that scene: - it’s Elizabeth who’s in that position: Her fate - those moments are a key part of how the story unfolds, how that character is brought back to life in such a powerful way.

The audience is asked to consider this, what exactly has occurred in the last sequence of the movie - a series of events, this particular story. It shows a strong element of this dark story. It takes a series of powerful characters. It's not only that but this gives viewers an insight into the human condition. As viewers watch the movie, they will understand that The Substance’s core, its main storyline - those elements make The Substance what it is today.