For me where The Substance falls short is not its lack of fable, it’s that the film doesn’t appear to have anything fresh or interesting to say about beauty standards. Mining the violence of self-harm for shock value without contributing anything new feels disingenuous. There were really strong aspects of the film, and it was *almost* great, but ultimately it was a disappointment.
Thank you & thanks for reading! Of course that's okay - I know I'm probably in the minority regarding my stance on this film anyway - and I get where you're coming from as with most other critiques, but for me the brutality that many consider distasteful or gratuitous is part of what makes its framing of these themes so sharp, affecting and charmingly audacious. It's why I believe Fargeat's signature style works wonders here - everything is articulated so succinctly and poignantly through her lens.
It's a huge film and we've obviously seen similar horror before but something about The Substance, at least to me, feels quite insular to the female experience and just distinctly knowledgeable about the deadly, dark depths of beauty standards.
For me where The Substance falls short is not its lack of fable, it’s that the film doesn’t appear to have anything fresh or interesting to say about beauty standards. Mining the violence of self-harm for shock value without contributing anything new feels disingenuous. There were really strong aspects of the film, and it was *almost* great, but ultimately it was a disappointment.
Btw I think your essay is very well written I just disagree!
Thank you & thanks for reading! Of course that's okay - I know I'm probably in the minority regarding my stance on this film anyway - and I get where you're coming from as with most other critiques, but for me the brutality that many consider distasteful or gratuitous is part of what makes its framing of these themes so sharp, affecting and charmingly audacious. It's why I believe Fargeat's signature style works wonders here - everything is articulated so succinctly and poignantly through her lens.
It's a huge film and we've obviously seen similar horror before but something about The Substance, at least to me, feels quite insular to the female experience and just distinctly knowledgeable about the deadly, dark depths of beauty standards.