In an era dominated by social media, where flawless bodies and retouched images are showcased, it’s a challenge to find individuals who are completely confident in their appearance. This Halloween, consider diving into a chilling double feature of *The Substance* and *A Different Man*.
Both films, *The Substance* and *A Different Man*, center on the theme of vulnerable actors who modify their exteriors in a desperate attempt to enhance their lives. These characters believe that altering their looks will solve all their woes—be it success, romance, wealth, or respect—viewing their appearance as the main barrier to achieving their desires. They resort to various means, from cutting-edge medical procedures to illicit drugs and experimental therapies, often placing their lives in jeopardy. While their transformations initially appear to improve their situations…
the true horror emerges—exterior beauty fails to remedy internal struggles. The protagonists ultimately become embodiments of the very flaws they were trying to escape, highlighting a chilling reality especially relevant today, where many of us are quick to rely on filters and cosmetic enhancements instead of addressing our deep-seated insecurities and self-esteem issues through therapy and self-compassion.
This year, *The Substance* has quickly become a Halloween favorite. An influx of fans has begun adopting “The Substance mask”as a creative, last-minute costume option. More than just another body horror film, it serves as a sharp satire on aging, vanity, and the unrealistic beauty standards imposed on women, even amidst the ongoing advocacy for body positivity. Its portrayal of body dysmorphia is strikingly insightful, showing how we can be harsh critics of our bodies, regardless of reassurances that both the body we dislike and the one we appreciate are parts of us.
body horror in THE SUBSTANCE (2024) dir. coralie fargeat pic.twitter.com/mTCxIR5lXP
— bethany (@fiImgal) October 23, 2024
In the film, Demi Moore delivers an exceptional performance as Elizabeth Sparkle, a once-revered Hollywood diva whose star is dimming. Facing replacement on a fitness show by a younger competitor, Elizabeth discovers an illicit treatment called ‘The Substance’, which manifests a youthful alter ego named Sue (brilliantly portrayed by Margaret Qualley). Initially, life seems glamorous as the effervescent Sue revitalizes Elizabeth’s career and social life. However, as Sue’s volatility surfaces, Elizabeth unknowingly exposes herself to severe side effects from the neon green concoction. Ultimately, Liz’s original charm diminishes, leading to a dramatic climax described by director Coralie Fargeat as the curator of the “Picasso of male expectations”concerning women’s ideal physiques!
Experiencing *The Substance* with over a thousand enthusiastic attendees at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival was unforgettable. The audience’s reactions during the much-anticipated climax, which confronts viewers with visceral body horror, were palpable. The film pays homage to greats of the genre, such as David Cronenberg’s *The Fly*, and its incisive critique of male perceptions of the ‘ideal woman’ is both unsettling and thought-provoking. Even the stunning Demi Moore embodies the film’s theme, effectively illustrating the insecurity that can afflict even the most conventionally beautiful.
Meanwhile, *A Different Man* diverges from the body horror genre—except for a memorable scene where Sebastian Stan’s Edward Lemuel gradually removes his own face to unveil a new identity. This psychological thriller unfolds in New York, where Edward, an aspiring actor affected by neurofibromatosis, equates his appearance to a barrier affecting his social interactions and leading to isolation. After a playwright, Ingrid Vold (Renate Reinsve), moves next door, Edward, infatuated, opts for an experimental procedure to reverse his facial disfiguration.
Now he’s strikingly handsome, but the new visage doesn’t guarantee the smooth life he envisioned. Complications arise with the entry of Oswald (played by the captivating Adam Pearson), a charismatic individual who shares Edward’s condition. Edward, now a real estate agent operating under the mundane name ‘Guy’, soon learns that his exterior transformation was the least of his hurdles.
Aaron Schimberg’s *A Different Man* blends Edward’s fixation on his former appearance with a darkly humorous narrative. I also viewed this film at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024, where the scenes depicting Edward/Guy’s descent into despair elicited both laughter and introspection. The film implies horror about missed possibilities, illustrating how Guy squanders a second chance at the life he craved because he couldn’t confront the deeper psychological challenges impacting his self-esteem. This resonates deeply, urging viewers to reflect on the emptiness lurking behind our curated experiences and the masks we wear to fulfill perceived expectations.
A Different Man (2024) dir. Aaron Schimberg pic.twitter.com/8mpWHHDphi
— vanilla sensation (@vbarn3s) July 31, 2024
If only I had a dime for every film I’ve seen this year featuring protagonists obsessively tracing their lives after someone else’s successes, I’d have two dimes. It’s peculiar that two such films emerged so close to the Halloween season.
Despite their thematic differences, parallels between *The Substance* and *A Different Man* exist. They both incorporate the motif of masks representing past selves that drive the narratives. Both are sure to entertain while provoking discomfort, leaving audiences pondering how they perceive themselves. Are we merely victims of circumstances, or do we subscribe to misguided beliefs about our identities?
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