The Substance (R18+)

Demi Moore gives a career-best performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, a former A-lister past her prime and suddenly fired from her fitness TV show by repellent studio head Harvey. She is then drawn to the opportunity presented by a mysterious new drug: The Substance. All it takes is one injection and she is reborn – temporarily – as the gorgeous, twentysomething Sue. The only rule? Time needs to be split: exactly one week in one body, then one week in the other. No exceptions. A perfect balance. What could go wrong?

Deliriously entertaining and ruthlessly satirical, Coralie Fargeat’s Cannes sensation turns toxic beauty culture inside out with a be-careful-what-you-wish-for fable for the ages. Explosive, provocative and twisted, The Substance marks the arrival of a thrillingly visionary filmmaker.

Cast: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid

Director: Coralie Fargeat

★★★★★ "The best and maddest film of the year" EVENING STANDARD

★★★★★ "While dissecting the world’s ridiculous beauty ideals, Coralie Fargeat directs her sensational feat with pungent audacity and fearless humor." SCREEN RANT

★★★★★ "It’s the casting of Moore, though, and her willingness to denude herself at 61 –emotionally, as well as physically– that gives The Substance a startling connection with its themes. Not for 30 years has she owned a film with anything like this certitude." COLLIDER

★★★★★ "Some will run screaming, but if it’s your jam, this could just be your new favourite horror movie." TIME OUT

★★★★ "Coralie Fargeat's satirical body horror...will have audiences "gasping, wincing, and laughing in disbelief" BBC

★★★★ "This is a smart, savage look at ageing, beauty, and the male gaze. Quaid and Qualley are excellent, but Moore delivers arguably a career-best performance." TOTAL FILM

★★★★ "a cheerfully silly and outrageously indulgent piece of gonzo body-horror comedy, lacking in subtlety, body-positivity or positivity of any sort." GUARDIAN