Beautifully shot. Intense. Gorey. Well acted. Enjoyable? I’m not too sure…
Update:
I’ve been thinking about this film nonstop since my first viewing and it’s grown from a film I respect but didn’t necessarily enjoy to one of my favorites of the year. Initially The Substance’s ending didn’t work for me.
The entire 3rd act is bold, bloody, and bat shit insane. Just when you think The Substance has reached its peak, it subverts your expectations and goes to new insane heights. The ending serves as the perfect way to wrap up all the ideas proposed and comes full circle, mirroring the opening shot of the film.
