Demi Moore stars in the upcoming film The Substance, a surreal feminist horror movie that explores themes of aging, beauty standards, and the pressures faced by women in Hollywood. The film, directed by Coralie Fargeat, follows the story of an aging Hollywood star, Elisabeth Sparkle, played by Moore, who undergoes a secret cloning procedure in a desperate attempt to save her career.
In the trailer, we see Elisabeth being fired from her role as a celebrity host on a daytime TV exercise program by a network producer, played by Dennis Quaid. Facing replacement by a younger and more beautiful star, Elisabeth decides to take extreme measures by injecting a secret serum called Activator, which creates a younger and more perfect version of herself named Sue, played by Margaret Qualley.
However, the situation becomes complicated as Elisabeth's two selves struggle to coexist. The Activator requires her to switch between her two bodies every week, leading to internal conflict and tension. To make matters worse, the network producer, Harvey, shows favoritism towards Sue, leaving Elisabeth feeling sidelined and unappreciated.
The film delves into the themes of misogyny in the entertainment industry and the societal pressures on women to maintain youth and beauty at all costs. Through Elisabeth's journey, viewers are confronted with the harsh realities of ageism and the extreme measures some individuals are willing to take to stay relevant in a competitive industry.
The Substance is set to be released in theaters on September 20th, promising audiences a provocative and thought-provoking exploration of identity, beauty, and the dark side of fame.
