The Substance: A Psychological and Existential Exploration of Beauty, Identity, and Social Marginalization

IV. Ankara İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Kongresi, Ankara, Türkiye, 22 - 23 Şubat 2025, ss.315-316, (Özet Bildiri)

The Substance is a 2024 released body horror film written and directed by Coralie Fargeat,

which has been awarded as the best screenplay at the 77 Cannes Film Festival. Starring Demi

Moore, it features an in depth exploration of the psychological impacts of idealized beauty

standards, age, and the internalized violence inflicted on women by the society. The film deals

with the self-destructing effects of beauty ideals placed upon women through multilayered

metaphors, images and nuanced storytelling. Key symbols such as the Hollywood star of

Elisabeth Sparkle (the protagonist), which is gradually wearing down, or the substance itself,

suggest the deep consequences of social marginalization and beauty standards that emphasize

perfection. The juxtaposition of Elisabeth and her idealized younger self, Sue, brings the issue

to another level, showing the futile chase for perfection and eternal youth, while body horror

serves as the externalization of the misogyny. Toward the end of the movie, the “Monstro”,

another metaphor, points to freedom through self-acceptance. Ultimately, The Substance is a

movie that transcends its plot and engages the audience in compelling meditation on societal

norms devoid of true worth, identity and self-acceptance beyond physicality. This study

underlines the importance of the film as a psychological and existential reflection on the human

condition.

Keywords: body horror, beauty standards, self-acceptance