What a Drag it is Getting Old: Audio Film Review of ‘The Substance’

Submitted by PatrickMcD on September 22, 2024 - 6:13am

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Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Substance” a new release written/directed by Coralie Fargeat and featuring Demi Moore and Margaret Whalley portraying two sides of the same person … older and younger. In theaters since September 20th.

Moore is Elisabeth Sparkle, a faded Los Angeles-based former movie star reduced to an exercise show that is plunging in the ratings, much to the chagrin of network exec Harvey (Dennis Quaid). Harvey decides to fire Elisabeth and replace her with someone younger. To add to her misery, Elisabeth has a horrific auto accident the same day, but after being check out as uninjured a young doctor directs her to THE SUBSTANCE, an off-the-grid injectable drug ritual that will make her young (as portrayed by Margaret Qualley) for seven days and back to her older self for seven days. She names her new persona Sue, takes over her old show, and becomes a media sensation. This makes her less inclined to go back to old Elisabeth, so she begins to step beyond the seven days as Sue … but there is a price to pay.

The Substance
Photo credit: MUBI

Audio Film Review of “The Substance” by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com …

”The Substance” is in theaters on September 20th. Featuring Demi Moore, Margaret Whalley, Dennis Quaid, Hugo Diego Garcia and Oscar Lesage. Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. Rated “R”