Every scene of this film wowed me at TIFF. The casting, atmosphere, visual and sound design, music, and, of course, the symbolism of it all.

Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley couldn't have been more perfectly cast as leads. Their devotion to the process and trust in their director was clear to me. Their vulnerability pulls this off and leads to a very compelling fever dream.

Everyone involved should be really proud of this film. To me, it's a future cult classic.

It is body/psychological horror, so don't expect jump scares. It's deeper than that. I found myself getting lost in reflection during the film (as a 47 year old woman it really spoke to me).

But it's also extremely fun to watch!

Take it seriously as a true work of art, but don't at the same time, and you'll have a blast.

Let me start out by saying: I love body horror and if you don't, or if you're squeamish, you might want to pass on this film. That said, I thought the balance between disturbing, impactful, intriguing, and disgusting was absolutely right on the money.

In a world full where filler, botox, face lifts and implants, skin care routines, and obsession with youth are at their peak in media, THE SUBSTANCE calls into question whether the "new, better 'you'" is really 'you' - you are one, but perhaps not the same. It's clever, it's gross, it's pointed, and it's a fun watch. Moore and Qualley were an excellent duo and Quaid played a Hollywood sleezeball as believably as it could be done.