The Substance: 11 Shocking Facts About Demi Moore's Blood-Soaked Cannes Sensation
The Substance: 11 Shocking Facts About Demi Moore's Blood-Soaked Cannes Sensation
"The Substance" holds the record for the most fake blood used in a single film. The sheer volume triples what you'd expect in a typical horror movie.
The movie's gruesome effects were achieved using state-of-the-art prosthetics, designed to look eerily real, making the blood and gore even more stomach-churning.
Demi Moore spent months preparing for her role, undergoing intense physical training to portray Elisabeth Sparkle authentically.
Margaret Qualley, who plays Sue, underwent hours of makeup and prosthetic application each day to achieve her taut, youthful appearance.
The sound design includes actual recordings of medical procedures to enhance the realism of the gory scenes, making audiences squirm in their seats.
Director Coralie Fargeat drew inspiration from real-life beauty regimens and medical procedures, adding a layer of unsettling authenticity to the film.
The film is peppered with hidden messages and Easter eggs that critique societal beauty standards and the obsession with youth.
At its Cannes premiere, "The Substance" caused several audience members to faint, requiring medical attention due to the film's extreme content.
The film's color palette is carefully curated to symbolize various themes, with white representing purity and red symbolizing the grotesque transformation.
Though not heavily explored in the film, Elisabeth Sparkle's backstory is detailed in the screenplay, adding depth to Moore's portrayal of the character.
Beyond its horror elements, the film offers a scathing commentary on the culture of celebrity and the brutal reality of aging in Hollywood.