A Body Horror Causing Walkouts

“The Substance,” a new body horror film directed by Coralie Fargeat, has been making waves for its extreme gore, leading to walkouts in cinemas around the world. The film, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, follows an aging Hollywood star who takes a black market drug to regain her youth, but the consequences are far more terrifying than she could have imagined.

• Cinemagoers have taken to social media to share their experiences of the film’s shocking content.
• One viewer described it as “one of the most violent films I’ve ever seen,” while another said it’s “not for the faint of heart.”
• Despite the walkouts, “The Substance” has been praised by critics, earning a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• The film’s director, Coralie Fargeat, won Best Screenplay at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where the film premiered.

While the film’s graphic content has proven divisive, those who can stomach the gore are in for a wild ride. The final 30 minutes are particularly intense, featuring some of the most “outrageous, bold scenes shown in cinema for years.” “The Substance” is a testament to the power of practical effects, with Fargeat choosing to eschew CGI in favor of more visceral, realistic horror.

For those who prefer to watch from the comfort of their own homes, “The Substance” is now available to stream on Mubi. However, be warned: this is not a film for the easily disturbed.