OK so here’s the thing. When we recorded this episode weeks ago, we may have been a ~little~ presumptuous in predicting Demi Moore would win the Oscar for Best Actress. We even had a whole other episode description written just in case. But even though she didn’t take home the golden statue, her performance is nothing short of remarkable which brings us to the first flick of our season 5 lineup: The Substance (2024). This critically-acclaimed body horror film may have shocked theater-goers when it first came out (the poster doesn’t say “absolutely f***ing insane” for nothing). But beyond the gorgeously grotesque visuals, the themes are absolutely theming. From societal pressures on aging to unattainable beauty standards to the violence of self-deprecation, it's a film with a ton of....well substance. So tune in as we crack open Ozempic tie-ins, the art of gastronomy, and that bloody finale.
Resources
https://www.vogue.com/article/coralie-fargeat-the-substance-interview
https://www.asoundeffect.com/the-substance-film-sound/
https://www.vulture.com/article/the-substance-demi-moore-margaret-qualley-ending.html
https://www.gq.com/story/the-substance-effects
https://screenrant.com/the-substance-movie-easter-eggs-references/