I feel like this film didn’t get nearly as much praise or attention as it’s predecessor, despite being leagues better.
The Philippou brothers have more than proven their command of the horror genre. And I’m more excited than ever to see what comes next.
There is something deeply and capitalistically cynical about the worldview in this film (you can’t just have some of the fans, you gotta have ALL of them!), but the part of my brain that enjoys Spice World just kept screaming “HELL YEAH” throughout.
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It’s interesting how The Substance works as a more fitting series conclusion to the X trilogy than MaXXXine does, the way it depicts a fading star who can neither be satisfied by trying to relive her glory days or by moving on from them. Its use of very male gazey camera angles emphasize how much the protagonist has ended up objectifying herself after having spent her whole career being objectified by everyone else. It’s gross, surprisingly funny, and it’s without a doubt one of my favorite horror films of the year.
(Also, the use of Anna Von Hausswolff during the climax makes this an automatic 11/10)
The final song of the film is, very appropriately, “Punkrocker” by Teddybears (featuring Iggy Pop), which basically tells you everything you need to know. The Superman of 2025 is a punk rocker, because sincerity is the new punk.
And if you know me, you know I’m the first to admit that sincerity is fucking cool.
