Physique horror is having a second, and we will thank French auteur Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance for that. The Finest Image nominee (and winner for Finest Make-up and Hairstyling) hit theaters in September 2024, and we’re nonetheless speaking about its themes, appearing performances, sensible results, music, cinematography, and extra.
From The Factor and The Fly to Hellraiser and Videodrome, loads of classics exist within the physique horror subgenre, together with new buzzy titles like Collectively. There’s new indie favourite Slanted, directed by Amy Wang that gained the Narrative Jury Award out of SXSW. Should you’re in search of one thing that shares the essence of The Substance, take a look at these female-centric physique horror movies with comparable commentary on society’s obsession with youth and sweetness and the ageism within the leisure business (and in every single place else).
Starry Eyes (2014)
In The Substance, 50-year-old actress and health present host Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) is being aged out by producer Harvey (Dennis Quaid). Starry Eyes’ younger starlet Sarah Walker (Alexandra Essoe) has youth on her facet however nonetheless struggles to seek out work, auditioning for dismissive casting administrators and competing for elements with frenemies.
After a disheartening audition, Sarah compulsively rips her hair out, exhibiting a darkish, susceptible facet that catches the attention of 1 creepy casting director. Even with more and more bizarre calls for and exams, she does no matter it takes to land a task, even at the price of her personal physique.
The place to look at: Peacock
The Neon Demon (2016)
Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon follows Jesse (Elle Fanning), a small-town teen who strikes to Los Angeles to satisfy her dream of turning into a mannequin. It doesn’t take lengthy for her to begin reserving work and making an impression. Veteran fashions Sarah (Abbey Lee) and Gigi (Bella Heathcote) are solely of their 20s however nonetheless envy the brand new “it lady” and her youthful magnificence. Amidst the glitter and glam of the style business is fierce feminine competitors. They’re prepared to do something to remain related, and it turns into a blood tub.
The Neon Demon explores the concept of youth as a risk but additionally as a purpose, one which many attempt to attain with beauty surgical procedure and excessive weight-reduction plan. The movie is visually beautiful, sharing a few of the sunny, dreamlike high quality employed by Coralie Fargeat, but additionally Refn’s signature neon-drenched fashion and synth soundscapes.
The place to look at: Prime Video
Black Swan (2010)
Like The Substance, Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan was a competition hit that made it to the Oscars, with Natalie Portman taking dwelling Finest Actress for her efficiency because the more and more paranoid ballerina Nina Sayers. After New York Metropolis Ballet’s prima ballerina Beth (Winona Ryder) retires (or extra like is aged out), each dancer desires the lead position within the manufacturing of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Perfection-obsessed Nina is set to show she will be able to embody each the harmless White Swan and seductive Black Swan, however the arrival of Lily (Mila Kunis), an alluring and carefree dancer, places her on edge. With stress from her overprotective mom Erica (Barbara Hershey), a retired dancer residing vicariously by her daughter, and the predatory inventive director Thomas (Vincent Cassel), Nina’s transformation is a violent one.
Though it’s typically labeled a psychological thriller, the movie is undeniably an efficient physique horror. The bodily calls for of ballet, alongside together with her OCD and spiraling thoughts, trigger Nina fixed ache. And very like The Substance, its sound design permits us to listen to each bone crack, pores and skin tear, and nail break.
The place to look at: Max
The Perfection (2018)
Appearing, modeling, and dancing are tremendous aggressive, all-consuming industries, and The Perfection reveals us the world of classical music is simply as cutthroat. After the loss of life of her ailing mom, cellist Charlotte Willmore (Allison Williams) reconnects with Anton (Steven Weber), her former instructor at Bachoff Academy. He invitations her to hitch him in Shanghai to guage a contest for younger cellists looking for a scholarship. Charlotte meets Lizzie Wells (Logan Browning), Anton’s different protégé, who’s 5 years youthful and has every little thing Charlotte dreamed of for herself.
Co-written and directed by Richard Shepard (The Handmaid’s Story), The Perfection is stuffed with twists and turns, attraction and jealousy. The physique horror comes within the type of skin-crawling bug hallucinations, self-harm, and limb amputations. Set off warning for sexual assault.
The place to look at: Netflix
Smile 2 (2024)
Should you’ve seen Smile, then you definately’re accustomed to the premise of Parker Finn’s 2024 follow-up. Smile 2 facilities on a brand new sufferer of the Smile entity, profitable singer-songwriter Skye Riley (Naomi Scott). She’s rebuilding her picture after a public scandal, making an attempt to restore relationships and overcome her substance abuse, all whereas gearing up for a world tour. Like Elizabeth Sparkle, Skye is alone quite a lot of the time, even when she’s surrounded by her momager, backup dancers, and adoring followers.
Whereas the general movie (and franchise) is taken into account a psychological horror with supernatural parts, the entity creates and manipulates conditions wherein Skye harms herself and others. The music and cinematography are high tier, as are the costumes, hair and make-up, and units. Skye Riley is a demanding position, and the multi-talented Naomi Scott delivers an outstanding efficiency.
The place to look at: Paramount+ and Prime Video
Grafted (2024)
Not like the opposite protagonists on this checklist, Wei (Joyena Solar) doesn’t work in style, movie, or performing arts. She’s a pupil who strikes from her dwelling in China to attend school in New Zealand on a scholarship. Like her late father, she was born with a big birthmark on her face, motivating her to proceed his analysis on a pores and skin grafting process that would cowl it up. Shy and self-conscious, Wei feels even worse about herself round her fairly, widespread cousin Angela (Jess Hong) and her associates. Determined for acceptance, Wei’s experiments develop into extra harmful and grotesque, and anybody who will get in her method will endure the implications.
Grafted will get campier as Wei turns into extra unhinged, and whereas it isn’t precisely Oscar-worthy, it’s a cool idea and a gory good time.
The place to look at: Prime Video (AMC+ subscription)
Honorable Mentions
Guillermo del Toro’s Cupboard of Curiosities (2022)
Whereas not a movie, the fourth episode of Guillermo del Toro’s Cupboard of Curiosities anthology collection, primarily based on comedian guide creator Emily Carroll’s quick story “Some Different Animal’s Meat,” has an identical setup as The Substance. Written by Haley Z. Boston (Model New Cherry Taste) and directed by Ana Lily Amirpour (A Lady Walks Dwelling Alone at Evening), “The Exterior” tells the story of financial institution teller and novice taxidermist Stacey (Kate Micucci). By societal magnificence requirements, she’s not engaging, making her really feel inferior to her glamorous colleagues. Stacey tries a brand new miracle skincare product referred to as Alo Glo, and shortly, an infomercial salesman performed by Dan Stevens begins speaking to her by the TV, highlighting her flaws and inspiring her to let retinol and peptides repair all of it.
“The Exterior” is a goopy, gory story with an emphasis on pores and skin and its imperfections. With out spoiling something, I’ll simply say post-Alo Glo Stacey has a “feeling herself” second like Sue (Margaret Qualley).
The place to look at: Netflix
The Ugly Stepsister (2025)
This 12 months, Emilie Blichfeldt made her characteristic directorial debut at Sundance with The Ugly Stepsister, a grotesque reimagining of Cinderella. Elvira (Lea Myren) is simply one of many many maidens after the prince’s hand, prompting her to bear brutal, traditionally correct beauty surgical procedures to develop into stunning. The physique horror is grotesque, stomach-churning, not not like the visceral transformation of Elisabeth Sparkle. Watch at your individual danger; this isn’t for the squeamish.
The place to look at: In theaters on April 18, 2025