I just watched it last night. Others were in the theater as well, but they all walked out group by group as the movie progressed. Only me and my friends remained in the theater at the end, and even then we were uncomfortable watching the movie throughout.

this movie rules. so much fun in a packed theatre. I hope it gets rereleased so I can see it there again

@cswood said:

Enjoyed it a lot. If you love body horror this is extremely Cronenberg-esque. The final act is so over the top, I can not wait to see it again.

The Wikipedia spoilers for the movie was dreadful. No thanks.

@Adammm said:

@cswood said:

Enjoyed it a lot. If you love body horror this is extremely Cronenberg-esque. The final act is so over the top, I can not wait to see it again.

The Wikipedia spoilers for the movie was dreadful. No thanks.

Screw that, give it a try. People say they're tired of sequels and remakes and reboots and requels and adaptations and all that, and here we have an original film by an interesting director that is very unconventional and people are passing on it. You can't say you want something new and then reject it because dumbass Wikipedia said so.

@cswood said:

@Adammm said:

@cswood said:

Enjoyed it a lot. If you love body horror this is extremely Cronenberg-esque. The final act is so over the top, I can not wait to see it again.

The Wikipedia spoilers for the movie was dreadful. No thanks.

Screw that, give it a try. People say they're tired of sequels and remakes and reboots and requels and adaptations and all that, and here we have an original film by an interesting director that is very unconventional and people are passing on it. You can't say you want something new and then reject it because dumbass Wikipedia said so.

The plot about an older man or woman wanting to be young again isn't original. Movies throughout the years have done stories about immortality.

... Extract from “The Substance” And The Search For Human Regeneration:

Worth The Watch?

This movie brings viewers up close and personal with how inner pain can externalize in gruesome ways. Viewers with misophonia, stay away. For those like myself who love body horror, gore, and decaying divas, get your tickets now.

@Adammm said:

The plot about an older man or woman wanting to be young again isn't original. Movies throughout the years have done stories about immortality.

The way they do it in this film is very original, to horrifying effect.

This movie was filled with modern cliches like an older woman plowing younger guys and straight white males being the epitome of evil. But it's not another lame sequel I'll give you that. What you need to understand about this movie though is that it's a dark comedy. My advice would be to stay away from this movie unless you go into it fully understanding and appreciating that. Generally speaking I don't like dark comedies but I didn't know that's what it was until I saw it.

@cswood said:

Enjoyed it a lot. If you love body horror this is extremely Cronenberg-esque. The final act is so over the top, I can not wait to see it again.

Watched some clips and while Demi Moore is wonderfully comical and deranged in the movie. Maggie Qualley as nice as she is just doesn't convince as a younger Demi Moore or anyone Demi should be jealous of.

To me it is just a splatter movie with beautiful special effects... but as a movie it is disgusting.

@aiace68 said:

To me it is just a splatter movie with beautiful special effects... but as a movie it is disgusting.

You can think that but you're wrong. That's like saying Citizen Kane is just about a sled.

@cswood said: You can think that but you're wrong. That's like saying Citizen Kane is just about a sled.

Was it necessary to show that disgusting filth to talk about a society based on appearance and beauty? To say that those who are no longer perfect are discarded without delay, do you have to turn them into a deformed blob? In my opinion, no. So many people liked the movie but so many walked out of the hall at the end of the first half....

@aiace68 said:

Was it necessary to show that disgusting filth to talk about a society based on appearance and beauty? To say that those who are no longer perfect are discarded without delay, do you have to turn them into a deformed blob? In my opinion, no.

That's part of the theme, but not the entire theme; a large portion of it is self hatred. The scene where Elizabeth gets ready to go out on a date but she can't do it because she can't face how she looks or her deformed finger, even though we the audience still thinks she looks good, there are those with body dysmorphia that see themselves as that "deformed blob" and not like an attractive woman such as Demi Moore, even at her current age. Monstro Elizasue is just a visible representation of how some people (mostly women, but some guys too) see themselves when they feel they are no longer physically attractive.

So many people liked the movie but so many walked out of the hall at the end of the first half....

That's more of a them problem.