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Our take
The Substance is an adult body-horror film about a fading star who takes a black-market youth drug that splits her into a younger self. You get extreme gore, full nudity, sexual content, and frequent f-word language. Ageism and body image are the whole point. This is not a teen scare. Keep it for older teens and adults who can handle graphic horror
Story (may spoil tone)
A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
What we flagged
Details
Violence The later acts turn into chaotic, bloody set pieces as the experiment c…
The later acts turn into chaotic, bloody set pieces as the experiment collapses
Language Frequent strong language, including the f-word, in workplace rants and…
Frequent strong language, including the f-word, in workplace rants and panic
Sex / nudity Extensive full nudity and sexualised body display, mixed with graphic b…
Extensive full nudity and sexualised body display, mixed with graphic body horror
Drugs / alcohol The plot turns on a black-market injectable drug. Drinking is mentioned…
The plot turns on a black-market injectable drug. Drinking is mentioned in passing
Frightening Sustained body-horror dread, with grotesque transformation and a monste…
Sustained body-horror dread, with grotesque transformation and a monster-like climax
Self-harm / suicide No self-harm found in this title
No self-harm found in this title
Sexual violence We did not see sexual violence in this one
We did not see sexual violence in this one
Child peril / abuse We did not see child peril in this one
We did not see child peril in this one
Bullying / discrimination Co-workers mock her age and push to replace her with someone younger
Co-workers mock her age and push to replace her with someone younger
Gore / death / weapons Very graphic wounds, mutation, and blood. This is among the goriest mai…
Very graphic wounds, mutation, and blood. This is among the goriest mainstream horrors of the year
Dangerous behaviour Characters inject an unknown street drug and ignore medical warnings. D…
Characters inject an unknown street drug and ignore medical warnings. Do not copy
Eating disorders / body image The whole story is about hating an ageing body and chasing a younger, t…
The whole story is about hating an ageing body and chasing a younger, thinner look
Mental health Obsession, isolation, and self-loathing drive the experiment more than…
Obsession, isolation, and self-loathing drive the experiment more than a clinical portrait
Gambling We did not see gambling in this one
We did not see gambling in this one
Grief / bereavement We did not see grief in this one
We did not see grief in this one
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
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Talk after watching
- The film attacks beauty standards in show business. What pressure does it show?
- A miracle product promises a better body. Why is that bargain dangerous?
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The Substance
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