Summary

• The Substance trailer showcases the new horror film starring Demi Moore, promising a dark and unsettling feel.
• The film received a standing ovation at Cannes and a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
• The Substance tackles beauty industry standards, potentially sparking controversy upon release.

The trailer for the latest horror film The Substance has been released. The Substance tells the story of a washed-up celebrity who delves into the world of the black market when she agrees to intake an untested substance that will temporarily transform her into a younger and better version of herself. Demi Moore leads the cast of The Substance, with a ing team that includes Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid, Hugo Diego Garcia, Joseph Balderrama, and Oscar Lesage.

Now, MUBI has released the trailer for The Substance.

The video begins with a mysterious voice saying, "Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? Younger, more beautiful, more perfect?" The trailer proceeds to swap between Moore's aging character and her younger alter ego (played by Qualley). Key images from the trailer include both versions of the character attending workout classes and applying makeup in an effort to meet an unobtainable beauty standard. In one shot, Moore sloppily smears sanguine lipstick across her face, filled with some sort of unspoken rage.

How Has The Substance Been Received Thus Far?

The Horror Movie Got A Standing Ovation At Cannes

The trailer for The Substance features snippets of reviews that promise the film to be a stellar example of body horror. While more grotesque elements of the film remain largely hidden in the trailer, save a few bloodsoaked teases, the heavy focus on the human body (from close-ups of eyes and chewing, to glossy, perfect legs) indicates an emphasis on the physical form that could easily lend itself to shocking images as the film devolves. With very few words, the teaser for The Substance creates a wholly dark and unsettling feel, highlighting the high tension to come in the horror film.

The Substance made its world premiere at the esteemed Cannes Film Festival this May. It received a standing ovation that was somewhere upwards of 10 minutes, with reports ranging from 11 to 13 minutes long. The Substance also received an award for Best Screenplay at Cannes for the script penned by Coralie Fargeat, who also directed the movie. The early Rotten Tomatoes score positions the film at a 93% approval with 44 reviews, giving The Substance positive reviews nearly across the board.

Even so, the film is bound to be a controversial horror flick, and The Substance's early detractors came out very strongly negative. Taking on the beauty industry and its unrealistic standards is a hot button issue, which is made even more salient by positioning Moore's character as an aging Hollywood star. Some will ire the boldness of The Substance's thematic layout; others in Hollywood may not take as kindly to its messaging. How wider audiences and critics react to The Substance remains to be seen as the film prepares for release later this year.

Source: MUBI