This film was packed with layers-so many themes and nuances to unpack! What were your thoughts while watching? And on the Answer scale from 1 to 5, how would you rate it? Badd Medicine Arcade (Gaming channel) ua-cam.com/channels/HIstVk00GtduPIXlJLdC3A.html Early Drops & Full Reactions on YT Memberships & Patreon: www.patreon.com/baddmedicine Backup channel Subscribe here ua-cam.com/channels/1CLUwA27dz-94o3FR0o3xg.html
The contrast between how rude and harsh all the male chracters are towards Elisabeth VS how good they treat Sue, not because they see her as a person, but because they only see her as a sexy object. and How Dennis Quaids character is the same age as Demi Moores character yet no one cares nor looks down on him for aging, yet they see and treat Elisabeth as subhuman only because she is a woman :(, I love how this movie does not shy from portraying misogyny in such blatant way, you could tell its a movie made by a woman for women.
what stuck out to me is the shareholders. they were all men, and they were all old enough to have grey or WHITE hair but nobody cared and they still got to call all the shots.
Man, i was more disturbed with how much this is a real life talk than by all the gore and body horror scenes. So sad for every Elisabeth in the world...
I don’t see it as a film for women, ofc the themes are there but it’s an universal experience. The short film it was based on had a male protagonist so the main focus is the aging process and Hollywood.
That makeup scene hit me harder then anything else in this movie. Because it’s probably THE most relatable to every single woman I know. I have done that exact same thing, as have countless others. It’s never perfect. Never right. I’ll just throw on a bit more lipstick as I’m leaving…. That, to me, was the saddest scene
This movie gets criticized for being too over the top or unsubtle about its themes, which to each their own, but i feel like it being unsubtle is the point and strength. The women in this film are screaming to be heard and sympathized with but all the men are too caught up in their own objectifying gaze that eventually this pent up self-hate and anger culminates in that bloody finale. The movie makes a statement that women can no longer afford to be subtle or non-confrontational about their pain anymore. It's gonna scream at you in the loudest, most blunt way possible and I love it for that. My favorite film of 2024 without a question. 10/10, more movies need to take risks like this
I agree. At some point you just have to scream and that’s what the film does. It’s also ok if the shock of a moment means you don’t understand the deeper meaning every second of the way - reflecting on things later and finding deeper truths is part of what makes art resonant. I was laughing through the final scene, but it still made its mark and I still understand the themes after having had time to process it.
If anything I think current events show that the time for being subtle about a lot of things is over. People need to be blunt, to scream their bloody heads off because the message is clearly not being heard
nah it's super overrated, being grotesque just for the shock factor...of course you went with "all men bad" too like women don't participate in the same shit. Just cause it's in a movie doesn't mean it represents reality...get off the misandry please
There are two types of people watching this movie: Oak and DD who can't look at the screen, and Answer and Mason who are amazed and horrified but can't look away😹😹loved the reaction
This movie made me so sad.. that scene when she keeps comparing herself to sue was sooo heavy.. themes of self hate and insecurities too.. the movie was amazing I spend days thinking about it glad u guys catched on about the sexualization too..loved your reaction ❤
@@piusdoe8984 like they said at the end, a lot of people's reactions to this movie is to focus on the crazy last 15 minutes of the film and not even focus on the overarching theme of the story. a lot of people i've talked to in real life about this movie have basically told me that it was the weirdest most confusing movie ever. not everyone has critical thinking skills unfortunately.
@ But its stupid, most women aren’t actresses or models. Most women look regular and have regular looking girlfriends so why would it resonate? Sounds a bit deluded
@@Heroliesinyouthey already won some awards. They got the best screenplay at the canned film festival, Demi got Best Actress in a motion Picture at the Golden Globes, The movie got Best Cinematography at the European Film awards, It got Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Wow, Diamond Dave hit the nail on the head noticing immediately how much she was hating her older version of herself! LOVED how much you guys enjoyed this!!!
When I saw it at the cinema... Me and one other person stood up and clapped at the end. This film was so damn chaotic but so powerful with the themes and commentary it was making!!!
Super impressed by DD’s analysis and appreciation for the themes of the movie. It really felt like he understood every single moment and intention! Its rare when a reactor understands the symbolism behind the fight scene and the how sad it actually is.
Another thing about the spinal fluid shots is that it’s how an epidural is used. I watched this film with my mom and she was telling me that the first transformation scene it reminded her of how giving birth could feel. (Sue) is in a way a daughter who is getting projected on by their mother. There were a lot scenes to back this up. When sue was explaining her scheduling issues because she had to take care of her “mom”. Elisabeth raging about how sue wouldn’t exist without her while watching the tv. This movie is so brilliant and very real to many people. Especially to women.
Some have suggested that maybe an older looking actress should have taken the role but I think it’s brilliant that Demi is the one to do it. Bc no matter how great women look you’ll always be discarded by the industry that values youth -but I love when small films like this break through the mainstream zeitgeist. So under the radar, crazy pull no punches concept
i mean demi was 61 when she filmed this, so she was perfect. and also because her life story i think, is very relatable with elisabeth’s and she’s basically lived what elisabeth did
From all the messed up things in the movie, for me the best part it's the "getting ready for the date sequence " it's hauntingly realistic and relatable. It's not only about self image but your idea of what people think of you to the point of missing out on things because of that struggle. For all F up is this movie it made me feel seen and not alone. Also the satire and the comedy is a brilliant way for you to walk out of the cinema and just laugh about how ridiculous beauty standards are yet here we are still trying to archive them. And a huge standing ovation specially for Oak for talking about his own body image, it really is inspiring. Great reaction guys.
I just realized the place where Demi gets the substance at is almost hidden like a secret, unappealing on the outside.....but on the inside is still vibrant and fresh looking.....is a nice metaphor for Demi feeling young on the inside but to society and the men of Hollywood being too unappealing on the exterior.
you guys are the ONLY male commentators that have personally seen - ( there may be others ) who actually noticed all the meanings and points, and didn't just focus on the body horror or nudity. and NO I am not saying that in a s3xist way, I am just saying what I have seen. a lot of men don't understand or see the point. they are just grossed out 😄 💜 and whilst women are grossed out too, a lot of us relate and I know lots who say this was their favorite movie of the year bc of the themes it dealt with and how it chose to portray such themes in this fun and gross and beautifully shot way.
I totally agree with you. A few days ago I saw another video reaction of this movie, they were apparently a couple of friends but the guy made so many inappropriate comments that I couldn't finish watching the video, it was really annoying and sad at the same time that he only laughed and didn't understand the message of the movie.
Everyone understands the message. Most people just don't care about people whining about how they don't think they're hot enough. It's rooted in vanity.
watched this on patreon a month ago and you guys definitely had a better reaction than most expected and i think you guys got the main theme of it very well!
For a movie with minimal dialogue, SO MUCH was said! After knowing what happens, you see more subtle yet impactful messages during the first rewatch -- from the men literally "building up" a star in the beginning to the first mutation in Elisabeth being her finger (hands being one of the first prominent signs of getting older) Especially all the bathroom scenes where so much violence occurs (physical but also mental), in contrast to the stark white tiles which could also be viewed as empty & boring in Elisabeth's mind or sleek & polished in Sue's mind. This movie is a gem with so many layers that I highly recommend a rewatch
Guys you should definitely see Demi’s acceptance speech for best actress in the Golden Globes, I think just ties in with the theme of the movie, really great to see her being recognized by the industry
The awards they received. The best screenplay at the canned film festival, Demi got Best Actress in a motion Picture at the Golden Globes, The movie got Best Cinematography at the European Film awards, It got Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
One of the best and saddest parts of this movie is the scene of Elizabeth coming back again and again to fix something on her looks. I felt so sad, bc as a woman, I've done that for every date I've had. It's never enough, you are never pretty enough. I almost cried on that part
THANK YOU MASON QUINN for understanding this is a COMEDY. Comedy Horror IS a thing. ❤😂 And it can be deep and provocative and spark conversations. Not all comedy needs to be mindless and silly. And no all horror needs to be super serious.
I think specifically using the body horror genre to highlight self hate and ageism and insane beauty standards is genius. I loved it. Editing to add: I love how the ending feels over the top and ridiculous. It should feel ridiculous. It highlights how ridiculous these beauty standards are. How ridiculous ageism is. How ridiculous we're not allowed to age without being torn down, torn apart just for the "crime" of living (because guess what, the only "cure" for aging, is dying.) It's all so goddamn ridiculous. So the ending was pitch perfect highlighting that.
My verdict: love it! This is arguably Demi Moore's best performance in years. As Elizabeth, Ms. Moore is hilarious, terrifying, vulnerable and downright heartbreaking. The mirror scene when Elizabeth was getting ready for her date is one of the saddest things I've ever seen. I felt sorry both for her and Fred. Given her own struggles with ageism and beauty standards in Hollywood, Demi's performance hits different in the best ways. Speaking of which, while Demi's Oscar nomination is richly deserved, Margaret Qualley, who plays Sue, deserved a Best Supporting Actress nomination. The moral of the story is, to paraphrase "Sunset Boulevard," another movie about how women of a certain age are treated in Hollywood (which y'all should react to), "There's nothing wrong with being 50, unless you try to be 25 again."
It's hilarious when you think about how Universal Pictures produced the movie and tried to force the director, Coralie Fargeat, to make changes to the film before they'd distribute it. When she refused, they sold the rights to MUBI weeks before The Substance premiered at Cannes with rave reviews which lead to its later commercial/critical success. Just goes to show studios need to be more willing to take risks. Had no one purchased it from Universal, it may have never gotten distributed to the public.
I sure went on a wild ride with this one! I'm fine with gore but body horror like the last part of her transformation was visually shocking/disturbing but a powerful way to show the consequences of when people push their bodies too far, alot of important messages/metaphors portrayed here. Quinn's instincts strike right again with that snow globe getting smashed! & wow Quinn had to do his own stitches one time? Ouchies! 😮 AMSR with DD haha, very thought provoking film but Demi Moore crushed it in this role.
Here's my interpretation of the 3rd act: every single time she switched bodies she had a very weird dream. So I think that when she injected the termination substance into the Sue body, even though she didn't inject all of it, it was still enough for the Sue body to die or at least not be funcional anymore. Then she proceeded to switch into the dead body, so Elizabeth essentially died at that moment. Her real body was just a shell with no consciousness, the Sue body was dead/dying and unable to move. But, as always, she had one final weird dream while the switch was happening. So everything that happened after she tried to switch back to Sue is a dream sequence. Her self-hatred created this dream where she goes through her worst fears. But everything before that was real.
Fingers crossed Demi Moore's winning the Oscar for this. She has to complete the Bonkers Female Performances Trinity with Michelle Yeoh in EEAAO and Emma Stone in Poor Things !
I think her doing an aerobics class is just another metaphor in the film; it represents her complete focus on her body and the gaze on her at all times. It's treated as a catch all metaphor for women in the spotlight of fame and expectation in entertainment, whether that's movies or presenters or whatever. Sue's show is ludicrously based on her sexualisation rather than fitness, which just kind of furthers the point. It's just about being a sex object at all times.
Also: female bodies as food analogy. - denis quaid's character is represented as an ogre consuming food/female bodies - elisabeth cooking food and consuming it later in the movie = internalised misogyny
The substance makes another BETTER version of you not an identical copy which is why they didn't use de-aging tech. Great watch as always guys! Love this movie and love your channel. Thanks for the great work.
The amount of times I found myself thinking: "you have no idea" or "you wish" as a reply to your comments... Was super fun 😂 And it's funny how soon Oak said it was the worse thing they've seen or that it was a dream sequence... When there was so much more to see... lol Thank you for coming back to finish it Oak! I know it was hard for you! Great reaction guys!
I randomly watched this during my solo trip to Amsterdam, had no idea what I was getting into. By the last 30 minutes, I was like, "Okay, can we wrap this up now?" lol. But honestly, the message really hit. It’s so raw and real about how hard self-love can be in a world that’s obsessed with appearances, especially for women. It’s unfortunate how women don’t get the same grace as men when it comes to aging.
i went to the cinema to watch this movie when it came out, definitely an experience but i loved it 🤞🏻 11:52 "i cant watch injections" was the most hilarious thing to hear knowing what's coming next with all the spinal fluid thing 😭😭😭
I have been waiting for this reaction... This movie was over the top, yet, right on the nail with the concept. It grossed me out, yet intrigued and captivated me at the same time.
I remember choosing to watch this in theater with friends on a whim as we watched the trailer and we thought "Oh a movie on plastic surgery maybe" Yeah the whole theater room in the end looked at each other in silence when the lights came back on like "What the fuck did we just watch" 10/10 experience.
I was so “pumped” when I saw that ya’ll reacted to this gem. My absolute favorite film of 2024 - we can all be our own worst enemy and do unimaginable things to ourselves. What a great social commentary - I laughed, screamed and cringed when I saw it for the first time too! Mason, I laughed too when she turned into a monster and went to get ready for the New Years Eve show. I died laughing when she curled that one hair strand. Thank you so so much for this reaction 😂 🙌🏼
5/5 for me... I also was particularly impressed by the overall production. I hope you guys get to see the 'Making of' featurette. So much creativity and hands-on filmmaking at play here; prosthetics, miniatures, light manipulation, etc. Coralie Fargeat also really knows how to get the most out of a film budget. Her storyboarding alone is well worth the watch.
Oak is on the ball, this is a 5. I love how Sue is a different body than Elizabeth’s younger self (which we see posters of) because cosmetic surgery doesn’t make you look like you did when you were young, it makes you look like a different younger person.
It’s interesting that y’all cut the line: Pretty girls should always smile. It’s such an important line because it’s cathartic, for some of us who have had to hear that our whole lives…..
A reminder to you guys she’s not supposed to be her exact younger version….. Sue is the younger BETTER version she’s the supposed to be the best of Elisabeth in terms of physical features that’s why she’s doesn’t look like younger version of Demi Moore….. this is also the same reason why she was able to make that bathroom hidden room.. she’s just better at everything!
39:33 "we picked it-... I" 🤣 The movie hitted me hard - there are so many hidden messages and symbols. And visuals are incredible. Actress both did an amazing job.
I don't typically like super graphic horror movies, cause it often feels pointless and shocking for the sake of it, but it made a lot of sense in this movie. It was supposed to hit you at a visceral level, it's all about one's body. It's also impressive how much practical effects they used.
Another message I see in the movie is the Seven Deadly Sins. Demi has Envy, Gluttony, and Sloth while Sue has Lust, Greed and Pride - and both share Wrath.
I think the style is called 'retro futurism' some elements are folder (newspaper, pager, the workout show) but there are usb's flat screen tv's and iphones
This was both one of the most incredible movies I’ve seen in recent memory and NOT one I think I’d be able to sit through by myself again lol. Glad I could relive this rollercoaster with you guys!!
I love the ted talks at the end of the movie reactions... Im 28 right now (turning 29 in 2 mos) and i have a fear of getting older & i get soo depressed everytime my birth month starts. Thank you Mr. Oak on this part right here 1:08:55 .. means alot to me. 😢😊
~Oak squirming during the transformation scene~ Answer: "That is F*cking awesome!" 🤣 love it lol and idk I liked the whisper ASMR at first, Diamond Dave, and then it started making me feel weird like the chewing 😅 hahaha I haven't seen this; but it got brought up a lot during different lives, so I'm watching it with you 🤘
watched this movie last night for the first time and the biggest thing that amazed me was the practical effects. almost *everything* was done with prosthetics, bodysuits, makeup. it's all so impressive i just marveled at it the whole time.
I really love this film, even though it's a hard watch at times. So happy to see you have reacted to it. Ty ❤ And with the 'other self', it's not about it being just a younger version of Demi, it's defined as being a 'better version of yourself'. That's why they don't have to look alike 😅
I loved this movie. My friend and I were laughing throughout the last thirty minutes of the movie. It was incredibly relatable and very sad at times. Demi earned her Oscar.
Personally, I see her strength near the end of the movie (superhuman kicks etc) as the power of internally fueled/directed rage. That need to utterly and finally destroy parts or the whole of oneself.
I forgot how much I loved the 39:33 part lol Thanks for picking it DD xD On a more serious note, that scene with the makeup and the date made the whole movie for me. Along with that moment when she woke up to her finger being all messed up. I was thinking, "wow if only she stopped and trusted she is amazing the way she is because if she continuous she's going to destroy herself" and man if that isn't us; not only with physical appereance but with many parts of ourselves. Those two scenes punched me in the heart. I mentioned this over on patreon and I'll repeat myself, my mom is 52 and she's gorgeous with a killer body and when I tell her that, sometimes she just watches me and says "I don't feel like that but thank you". We need to speak more about this topics and this movie, in a weird but effective way, makes us do just that. Incredible reaction and review guys!
One of the better reactions to this film that I’ve watched! I love the post analysis. This movie was the best film of 2024 IMO. The cinematography, the adaption to screen, the actors/actresses, the makeup design, the sound. Editing…. It’s an iconic film. The last 15-20 minutes are brutal but symbolic of the destruction of self image/self worth/demand for perfection.
Elizabeth began resenting Sue for the things she would never have again because of her age: the looks, the attention from men, the job opportunities, etc. Sue resented Elizabeth for being self-pitying, depressed, lonely and squandering her life binge-eating and watching daytime tv. It’s such an interesting dichotomy of one person. I felt like it was like Sue was the drunk version of herself, but instead of being drunk on alcohol she was drunk on her own ego. It made her a different person until she was a soulless shell willing to brutally kill the part of her that kept its soul.
I think if this movie was made in the early 2000s or the 90s, it would have had a very different approach. It could’ve been a lesson in vanity, where we’re made to root against Elizabeth and revel in her “punishment” (like the era of putting Paris Hilton or actresses like her in horror movies so people would be excited for her to die). Instead, it was a very empathetic look. She doesn’t just want to look younger to be better than others, she literally views herself as less of a person because of her looks. She loses her job because of it. She loses respect because of it. Her being seen as old and unattractive is a legitimate threat to her. Even with Sue at the end, we still feel bad for her. We still feel her desperation to hold everything together. I never once thought, “well you did this to yourself.” Even though I’m sure some do feel that way, I don’t think the movie was framing it that way (if that makes sense). The ending (at least for me and some others who watched it) felt very cathartic. Monstro Elisa-Sue exploding blood everywhere almost felt victorious in a way. I can’t articulate how or why it feels that way even when it’s technically a “bad ending,” but it does (maybe it’s reminiscent of Carrie? Idk).
This film was packed with layers-so many themes and nuances to unpack! What were your thoughts while watching? And on the Answer scale from 1 to 5, how would you rate it?
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this a pure 5/5 for me. so many nods to other directors and films, especially cronenberg! i was blown away
I think you gus should do reactions of guy ritchie's the gentlemen (2024 Netflix Show)
Watch also 'I'm Still Here' is the first film from Brazil to compete for an Oscar. It was very well received by critics.🇧🇷💚
5/5 It was bizarrely awesome
Bring the movie WICKED 💚🩷
The contrast between how rude and harsh all the male chracters are towards Elisabeth VS how good they treat Sue, not because they see her as a person, but because they only see her as a sexy object. and How Dennis Quaids character is the same age as Demi Moores character yet no one cares nor looks down on him for aging, yet they see and treat Elisabeth as subhuman only because she is a woman :(, I love how this movie does not shy from portraying misogyny in such blatant way, you could tell its a movie made by a woman for women.
what stuck out to me is the shareholders. they were all men, and they were all old enough to have grey or WHITE hair but nobody cared and they still got to call all the shots.
Nailed it!!
@@worblergworbler exactly!!!
Man, i was more disturbed with how much this is a real life talk than by all the gore and body horror scenes. So sad for every Elisabeth in the world...
I don’t see it as a film for women, ofc the themes are there but it’s an universal experience. The short film it was based on had a male protagonist so the main focus is the aging process and Hollywood.
Diamond Dave nailed it. It's all about her self hatred. There were never two women there was only ever one.
Exactly, everything Sue says in her interview about Elizabeth is how Elizabeth feels about herself
ahaha the betrayal in oak’s voice when he said “WE picked it??”
Right?? lol
That makeup scene hit me harder then anything else in this movie. Because it’s probably THE most relatable to every single woman I know. I have done that exact same thing, as have countless others. It’s never perfect. Never right. I’ll just throw on a bit more lipstick as I’m leaving….
That, to me, was the saddest scene
Yes💯
Truly. My guess is that we rarely show that vulnerable side of ourselves. Kinda heart-wrenching to watch.
This movie gets criticized for being too over the top or unsubtle about its themes, which to each their own, but i feel like it being unsubtle is the point and strength. The women in this film are screaming to be heard and sympathized with but all the men are too caught up in their own objectifying gaze that eventually this pent up self-hate and anger culminates in that bloody finale. The movie makes a statement that women can no longer afford to be subtle or non-confrontational about their pain anymore. It's gonna scream at you in the loudest, most blunt way possible and I love it for that. My favorite film of 2024 without a question. 10/10, more movies need to take risks like this
Ditto! I just commented this is truly a gem of a film and my absolute favorite of 2024.
I agree. At some point you just have to scream and that’s what the film does. It’s also ok if the shock of a moment means you don’t understand the deeper meaning every second of the way - reflecting on things later and finding deeper truths is part of what makes art resonant. I was laughing through the final scene, but it still made its mark and I still understand the themes after having had time to process it.
Agree 1000%!!!!❤💞❤️
If anything I think current events show that the time for being subtle about a lot of things is over. People need to be blunt, to scream their bloody heads off because the message is clearly not being heard
nah it's super overrated, being grotesque just for the shock factor...of course you went with "all men bad" too like women don't participate in the same shit. Just cause it's in a movie doesn't mean it represents reality...get off the misandry please
There are two types of people watching this movie: Oak and DD who can't look at the screen, and Answer and Mason who are amazed and horrified but can't look away😹😹loved the reaction
as Collin Farrel's Character in The Gentlemen said, "I was there and I'm still shocked... It's nightmare fuel, that'll be with me forever."
This movie made me so sad.. that scene when she keeps comparing herself to sue was sooo heavy.. themes of self hate and insecurities too.. the movie was amazing I spend days thinking about it glad u guys catched on about the sexualization too..loved your reaction ❤
What is there to catch onto 😂 its very obvious
@@piusdoe8984 like they said at the end, a lot of people's reactions to this movie is to focus on the crazy last 15 minutes of the film and not even focus on the overarching theme of the story. a lot of people i've talked to in real life about this movie have basically told me that it was the weirdest most confusing movie ever. not everyone has critical thinking skills unfortunately.
Why do so many girl reactors cry at that part?
@@disneytoysr4fun975 wow it's almost like as women they're held to the same standards elisabeth sparkle is, maybe it resonates with them 🤷 no duh
@ But its stupid, most women aren’t actresses or models. Most women look regular and have regular looking girlfriends so why would it resonate? Sounds a bit deluded
CLICKED SO FAST
Right! I can't wait to watch 😂
Me too 😂
I knew Diamond Dave would hate that eating part!
@@Letha-MaeRooting for Demi Moore at the Oscars.
@@Heroliesinyouthey already won some awards. They got the best screenplay at the canned film festival, Demi got Best Actress in a motion Picture at the Golden Globes, The movie got Best Cinematography at the European Film awards, It got Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
I think this might be the most expressive I've ever seen oak! 😂 No resting Oak face in this one!
You know it’s going to be good when Oak looks like he is throwing up in the thumbnail
🤣🤣🤣
Wow, Diamond Dave hit the nail on the head noticing immediately how much she was hating her older version of herself! LOVED how much you guys enjoyed this!!!
When I saw it at the cinema... Me and one other person stood up and clapped at the end. This film was so damn chaotic but so powerful with the themes and commentary it was making!!!
Super impressed by DD’s analysis and appreciation for the themes of the movie. It really felt like he understood every single moment and intention! Its rare when a reactor understands the symbolism behind the fight scene and the how sad it actually is.
I just started watching these guys, and I'm pretty impressed with their takes on things. Especially compared to other reactors.
Another thing about the spinal fluid shots is that it’s how an epidural is used. I watched this film with my mom and she was telling me that the first transformation scene it reminded her of how giving birth could feel. (Sue) is in a way a daughter who is getting projected on by their mother. There were a lot scenes to back this up. When sue was explaining her scheduling issues because she had to take care of her “mom”. Elisabeth raging about how sue wouldn’t exist without her while watching the tv. This movie is so brilliant and very real to many people. Especially to women.
Some have suggested that maybe an older looking actress should have taken the role but I think it’s brilliant that Demi is the one to do it. Bc no matter how great women look you’ll always be discarded by the industry that values youth
-but I love when small films like this break through the mainstream zeitgeist. So under the radar, crazy pull no punches concept
How poetic will it be if Demi FINALLY after three decades acting gets an Oscar! Specifically for this film!
@@jeffreytabler4222 She won a Golden Globe, but has been nominated for a bunch of Oscars, but that hasn't happened yet.
She was probably 61 while filming this, older than her character. But that's common in movies.
i mean demi was 61 when she filmed this, so she was perfect. and also because her life story i think, is very relatable with elisabeth’s and she’s basically lived what elisabeth did
Completey agree!
From all the messed up things in the movie, for me the best part it's the "getting ready for the date sequence " it's hauntingly realistic and relatable. It's not only about self image but your idea of what people think of you to the point of missing out on things because of that struggle. For all F up is this movie it made me feel seen and not alone. Also the satire and the comedy is a brilliant way for you to walk out of the cinema and just laugh about how ridiculous beauty standards are yet here we are still trying to archive them.
And a huge standing ovation specially for Oak for talking about his own body image, it really is inspiring.
Great reaction guys.
Fun fact. It was supposed to be Ray Liotta in Quaid’s role before his passing. I wonder how much more unhinged that character would have been lol
and Dennis Quaid wasn't even acting.
@ facts lol
@@onyx081 Nope 😂
The commentary on women's beauty standards and the pressure put on us by society to stay young and beautiful is spectacular 🙌🏻
I just realized the place where Demi gets the substance at is almost hidden like a secret, unappealing on the outside.....but on the inside is still vibrant and fresh looking.....is a nice metaphor for Demi feeling young on the inside but to society and the men of Hollywood being too unappealing on the exterior.
This movie is the most unexpected film I’ve ever witnessed. The shock!
I'm rooting for Demi Moore at the Oscars.
There's a loooot more shocking but it's been a while where a more mainstream movie has gone for ideas like this
you guys are the ONLY male commentators that have personally seen - ( there may be others ) who actually noticed all the meanings and points, and didn't just focus on the body horror or nudity. and NO I am not saying that in a s3xist way, I am just saying what I have seen. a lot of men don't understand or see the point. they are just grossed out 😄 💜 and whilst women are grossed out too, a lot of us relate and I know lots who say this was their favorite movie of the year bc of the themes it dealt with and how it chose to portray such themes in this fun and gross and beautifully shot way.
Check out Nerdy Nightlys reaction. He and his wife are both in the industry and had an incredibly raw discussion on it.
To be fair most reaction channels aren't hosted by the brightest...the message is pretty obvious
@@troikas3353I was just going to suggest the same! A very touching discussion.
I totally agree with you. A few days ago I saw another video reaction of this movie, they were apparently a couple of friends but the guy made so many inappropriate comments that I couldn't finish watching the video, it was really annoying and sad at the same time that he only laughed and didn't understand the message of the movie.
Everyone understands the message. Most people just don't care about people whining about how they don't think they're hot enough. It's rooted in vanity.
watched this on patreon a month ago and you guys definitely had a better reaction than most expected and i think you guys got the main theme of it very well!
38:04 - Quinn: "That's not the nurse?"
Oak, Answer: 🤨🤨 "bombastic side eyes"
Mason Quinn as always being iconic🤣
Love every reaction guys😂❤
For a movie with minimal dialogue, SO MUCH was said! After knowing what happens, you see more subtle yet impactful messages during the first rewatch -- from the men literally "building up" a star in the beginning to the first mutation in Elisabeth being her finger (hands being one of the first prominent signs of getting older)
Especially all the bathroom scenes where so much violence occurs (physical but also mental), in contrast to the stark white tiles which could also be viewed as empty & boring in Elisabeth's mind or sleek & polished in Sue's mind. This movie is a gem with so many layers that I highly recommend a rewatch
And thats why it deserves all the awards
I instantly felt the index finger mutation reflect as "You can only point the finger at yourself" or "There's no one to blame but yourself."
Guys you should definitely see Demi’s acceptance speech for best actress in the Golden Globes, I think just ties in with the theme of the movie, really great to see her being recognized by the industry
The awards they received. The best screenplay at the canned film festival, Demi got Best Actress in a motion Picture at the Golden Globes, The movie got Best Cinematography at the European Film awards, It got Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
The insane amounts of foreshadowing throughout the entire movie is perfection.
Oak watching the movie: 🤨🤢😵
His note: 😍👏
😂😂
I relate!! The movie made me queasy, but the profound messaging and excellent cinematography/sound design is undeniable ❤
One of the best and saddest parts of this movie is the scene of Elizabeth coming back again and again to fix something on her looks. I felt so sad, bc as a woman, I've done that for every date I've had. It's never enough, you are never pretty enough. I almost cried on that part
Right? I saw myself there. Is the only scene of the movie I cant watching again cause it causes me a lot of pain
THANK YOU MASON QUINN for understanding this is a COMEDY. Comedy Horror IS a thing. ❤😂 And it can be deep and provocative and spark conversations. Not all comedy needs to be mindless and silly. And no all horror needs to be super serious.
I think specifically using the body horror genre to highlight self hate and ageism and insane beauty standards is genius. I loved it.
Editing to add: I love how the ending feels over the top and ridiculous. It should feel ridiculous. It highlights how ridiculous these beauty standards are. How ridiculous ageism is. How ridiculous we're not allowed to age without being torn down, torn apart just for the "crime" of living (because guess what, the only "cure" for aging, is dying.) It's all so goddamn ridiculous. So the ending was pitch perfect highlighting that.
The contrast in reaction between Oak and Answer on the "Split" is amazing and priceless xD
My verdict: love it! This is arguably Demi Moore's best performance in years. As Elizabeth, Ms. Moore is hilarious, terrifying, vulnerable and downright heartbreaking. The mirror scene when Elizabeth was getting ready for her date is one of the saddest things I've ever seen. I felt sorry both for her and Fred. Given her own struggles with ageism and beauty standards in Hollywood, Demi's performance hits different in the best ways.
Speaking of which, while Demi's Oscar nomination is richly deserved, Margaret Qualley, who plays Sue, deserved a Best Supporting Actress nomination. The moral of the story is, to paraphrase "Sunset Boulevard," another movie about how women of a certain age are treated in Hollywood (which y'all should react to), "There's nothing wrong with being 50, unless you try to be 25 again."
It's hilarious when you think about how Universal Pictures produced the movie and tried to force the director, Coralie Fargeat, to make changes to the film before they'd distribute it.
When she refused, they sold the rights to MUBI weeks before The Substance premiered at Cannes with rave reviews which lead to its later commercial/critical success. Just goes to show studios need to be more willing to take risks. Had no one purchased it from Universal, it may have never gotten distributed to the public.
It's not suppose to look like a younger version, it's a more perfect version of yourself.
I sure went on a wild ride with this one! I'm fine with gore but body horror like the last part of her transformation was visually shocking/disturbing but a powerful way to show the consequences of when people push their bodies too far, alot of important messages/metaphors portrayed here. Quinn's instincts strike right again with that snow globe getting smashed! & wow Quinn had to do his own stitches one time? Ouchies! 😮 AMSR with DD haha, very thought provoking film but Demi Moore crushed it in this role.
Demi finally trying to win an Oscar
Rooting for her.
And I love it. She never quite got the opportunities other actresses have. And it takes a lot of courage to do a role like this
it will either be her or mikey madison
@@itsraimehangg Mikey is the 3rd option at this point, its between Demi and Fernanda Torres now. Im certain Demi will win tho.
@@joymartin4640 completely agree.
Here's my interpretation of the 3rd act: every single time she switched bodies she had a very weird dream. So I think that when she injected the termination substance into the Sue body, even though she didn't inject all of it, it was still enough for the Sue body to die or at least not be funcional anymore. Then she proceeded to switch into the dead body, so Elizabeth essentially died at that moment. Her real body was just a shell with no consciousness, the Sue body was dead/dying and unable to move. But, as always, she had one final weird dream while the switch was happening. So everything that happened after she tried to switch back to Sue is a dream sequence. Her self-hatred created this dream where she goes through her worst fears. But everything before that was real.
Fingers crossed Demi Moore's winning the Oscar for this. She has to complete the Bonkers Female Performances Trinity with Michelle Yeoh in EEAAO and Emma Stone in Poor Things !
I think her doing an aerobics class is just another metaphor in the film; it represents her complete focus on her body and the gaze on her at all times. It's treated as a catch all metaphor for women in the spotlight of fame and expectation in entertainment, whether that's movies or presenters or whatever. Sue's show is ludicrously based on her sexualisation rather than fitness, which just kind of furthers the point. It's just about being a sex object at all times.
Also: female bodies as food analogy.
- denis quaid's character is represented as an ogre consuming food/female bodies
- elisabeth cooking food and consuming it later in the movie = internalised misogyny
I watched this on Patreon and I can't wait to see it again. What a unique movie, I didn't see the review so I'm here for it!!
The substance makes another BETTER version of you not an identical copy which is why they didn't use de-aging tech. Great watch as always guys! Love this movie and love your channel. Thanks for the great work.
Omg poor Oak, he looked about to puke during the majority of the movie 😅
Crazy movie 💀💀💀 I couldn't sleep normally for two days after watching the movie. What a crazy idea and crazy execution of the idea
The amount of times I found myself thinking: "you have no idea" or "you wish" as a reply to your comments... Was super fun 😂
And it's funny how soon Oak said it was the worse thing they've seen or that it was a dream sequence... When there was so much more to see... lol
Thank you for coming back to finish it Oak! I know it was hard for you!
Great reaction guys!
So excited for this lol. Such a wild movie. Glad it's getting the recognition it deserves. 💚
Both Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley gave amazing performances in this, such a good movie and strikes a deep chord in any woman I think :(
when y'all said you guys didn't have a clue what this was about, i was like, ohhh noooh 🙊 lol
I randomly watched this during my solo trip to Amsterdam, had no idea what I was getting into. By the last 30 minutes, I was like, "Okay, can we wrap this up now?" lol.
But honestly, the message really hit. It’s so raw and real about how hard self-love can be in a world that’s obsessed with appearances, especially for women. It’s unfortunate how women don’t get the same grace as men when it comes to aging.
Man, trip to Amsterdam can be crazy.
i went to the cinema to watch this movie when it came out, definitely an experience but i loved it 🤞🏻
11:52 "i cant watch injections" was the most hilarious thing to hear knowing what's coming next with all the spinal fluid thing 😭😭😭
I love how you guys really understand the meaning of the movie and how you related with it. Best reaction I've seen of this movie so far.
DIAMOND DAVE I FEEL YOU ON THE EATING!!
I actually screamed out of excitement 😂
I have been waiting for this reaction... This movie was over the top, yet, right on the nail with the concept. It grossed me out, yet intrigued and captivated me at the same time.
This was an AMAZING experience at the cinema, just for people’s reactions 😂 So much fun!
I cannot WAIT for these guys to finally get around to Wicked. I just know they’ll be so unexpectedly surprised with how much they’ll love it
Oaks face when Diamond Dave said they picked this was to damn funny xD
One of the best parts of this movie was the homage to classic horror - the shining, the thing, Carrie! Prob many more I didnt catch
I definitely got Basket Case vibes from the last few minutes of the movie.
I remember choosing to watch this in theater with friends on a whim as we watched the trailer and we thought "Oh a movie on plastic surgery maybe" Yeah the whole theater room in the end looked at each other in silence when the lights came back on like "What the fuck did we just watch" 10/10 experience.
I was so “pumped” when I saw that ya’ll reacted to this gem. My absolute favorite film of 2024 - we can all be our own worst enemy and do unimaginable things to ourselves. What a great social commentary - I laughed, screamed and cringed when I saw it for the first time too! Mason, I laughed too when she turned into a monster and went to get ready for the New Years Eve show. I died laughing when she curled that one hair strand. Thank you so so much for this reaction 😂 🙌🏼
I'm so glad you did watch this movie!!! It is crazy, it is sad, and stays in the back of your mind for days... so you know is good.
This was my top movie of the year. I've watched it so many times and always marvel at the layers of emotional nuance. Both actresses did phenomenal.
loved all oak’s commentary there at the end, it’s so true. really glad that y’all liked the movie and really got it!!!
Never been a more fitting film for the channel’s title.
The soundtrack on this movie is insane
5/5 for me... I also was particularly impressed by the overall production. I hope you guys get to see the 'Making of' featurette. So much creativity and hands-on filmmaking at play here; prosthetics, miniatures, light manipulation, etc. Coralie Fargeat also really knows how to get the most out of a film budget. Her storyboarding alone is well worth the watch.
These Badd guys always surprise and delight me with their empathy, bravo!
Oak is on the ball, this is a 5. I love how Sue is a different body than Elizabeth’s younger self (which we see posters of) because cosmetic surgery doesn’t make you look like you did when you were young, it makes you look like a different younger person.
It’s interesting that y’all cut the line:
Pretty girls should always smile.
It’s such an important line because it’s cathartic,
for some of us who have had to hear that our whole lives…..
A reminder to you guys she’s not supposed to be her exact younger version….. Sue is the younger BETTER version she’s the supposed to be the best of Elisabeth in terms of physical features that’s why she’s doesn’t look like younger version of Demi Moore….. this is also the same reason why she was able to make that bathroom hidden room.. she’s just better at everything!
39:33 "we picked it-... I" 🤣
The movie hitted me hard - there are so many hidden messages and symbols. And visuals are incredible. Actress both did an amazing job.
This + Conclave were the most memorable movies of 2024 for me.
"It's a vape pen?"
"No, it's a USB".
ROFL 🤣 😂
Guys, grab some tissues and watch The Wild Robot and I'm Still Here. They're worth the tears!
I don't typically like super graphic horror movies, cause it often feels pointless and shocking for the sake of it, but it made a lot of sense in this movie. It was supposed to hit you at a visceral level, it's all about one's body. It's also impressive how much practical effects they used.
Oh god Demi is probably gonna win the Oscar for sure
This movie was bizarrely brilliant.
Watched this last night haha, I love how these "small" budget movies always do something to the viewers, i love it. It reminded me of saltburn.
“No we picked it.”
“We picked it?!”
“Yes!…. I.”
😂 we love Diamond Dave
Another message I see in the movie is the Seven Deadly Sins. Demi has Envy, Gluttony, and Sloth while Sue has Lust, Greed and Pride - and both share Wrath.
no way i was just thinking about this movie, i saw it as a very campy statement on how aging affects the way people treat women.
I think the style is called 'retro futurism' some elements are folder (newspaper, pager, the workout show) but there are usb's flat screen tv's and iphones
This was both one of the most incredible movies I’ve seen in recent memory and NOT one I think I’d be able to sit through by myself again lol. Glad I could relive this rollercoaster with you guys!!
I love the ted talks at the end of the movie reactions... Im 28 right now (turning 29 in 2 mos) and i have a fear of getting older & i get soo depressed everytime my birth month starts. Thank you Mr. Oak on this part right here 1:08:55 .. means alot to me. 😢😊
I hate when reactors are rude towards Fred's character for no reason. He was pretty much the only sane, normal and sweet person in the movie!
Watch also 'I'm Still Here' is the first film from Brazil to compete for an Oscar. It was very well received by critics.🇧🇷💚
Yes, please!
@MariaCau_Soares 💚💙💛 Tomara q eles vejam
Ssss mano💚💛
~Oak squirming during the transformation scene~ Answer: "That is F*cking awesome!" 🤣 love it lol and idk I liked the whisper ASMR at first, Diamond Dave, and then it started making me feel weird like the chewing 😅 hahaha I haven't seen this; but it got brought up a lot during different lives, so I'm watching it with you 🤘
watched this movie last night for the first time and the biggest thing that amazed me was the practical effects. almost *everything* was done with prosthetics, bodysuits, makeup. it's all so impressive i just marveled at it the whole time.
Good analysis guys! I had a lot of fun with your reactions and you all got it all the message !
This movie reminds me of Death Becomes Her with Meryll Streep.
I really love this film, even though it's a hard watch at times. So happy to see you have reacted to it. Ty ❤
And with the 'other self', it's not about it being just a younger version of Demi, it's defined as being a 'better version of yourself'. That's why they don't have to look alike 😅
Guys, this was such a great reaction! I subscribed immediatly. I love this movie, one of my absolute favorites. It's a masterpiece.
I loved this movie. My friend and I were laughing throughout the last thirty minutes of the movie. It was incredibly relatable and very sad at times. Demi earned her Oscar.
Personally, I see her strength near the end of the movie (superhuman kicks etc) as the power of internally fueled/directed rage. That need to utterly and finally destroy parts or the whole of oneself.
Yeah self hate often feels visceral and violent, I felt like this movie captured that feeling so well.
I forgot how much I loved the 39:33 part lol
Thanks for picking it DD xD
On a more serious note, that scene with the makeup and the date made the whole movie for me. Along with that moment when she woke up to her finger being all messed up. I was thinking, "wow if only she stopped and trusted she is amazing the way she is because if she continuous she's going to destroy herself" and man if that isn't us; not only with physical appereance but with many parts of ourselves. Those two scenes punched me in the heart. I mentioned this over on patreon and I'll repeat myself, my mom is 52 and she's gorgeous with a killer body and when I tell her that, sometimes she just watches me and says "I don't feel like that but thank you". We need to speak more about this topics and this movie, in a weird but effective way, makes us do just that. Incredible reaction and review guys!
One of the better reactions to this film that I’ve watched! I love the post analysis. This movie was the best film of 2024 IMO. The cinematography, the adaption to screen, the actors/actresses, the makeup design, the sound. Editing…. It’s an iconic film.
The last 15-20 minutes are brutal but symbolic of the destruction of self image/self worth/demand for perfection.
Elizabeth began resenting Sue for the things she would never have again because of her age: the looks, the attention from men, the job opportunities, etc. Sue resented Elizabeth for being self-pitying, depressed, lonely and squandering her life binge-eating and watching daytime tv. It’s such an interesting dichotomy of one person. I felt like it was like Sue was the drunk version of herself, but instead of being drunk on alcohol she was drunk on her own ego. It made her a different person until she was a soulless shell willing to brutally kill the part of her that kept its soul.
I think if this movie was made in the early 2000s or the 90s, it would have had a very different approach. It could’ve been a lesson in vanity, where we’re made to root against Elizabeth and revel in her “punishment” (like the era of putting Paris Hilton or actresses like her in horror movies so people would be excited for her to die).
Instead, it was a very empathetic look. She doesn’t just want to look younger to be better than others, she literally views herself as less of a person because of her looks. She loses her job because of it. She loses respect because of it. Her being seen as old and unattractive is a legitimate threat to her.
Even with Sue at the end, we still feel bad for her. We still feel her desperation to hold everything together. I never once thought, “well you did this to yourself.” Even though I’m sure some do feel that way, I don’t think the movie was framing it that way (if that makes sense).
The ending (at least for me and some others who watched it) felt very cathartic. Monstro Elisa-Sue exploding blood everywhere almost felt victorious in a way. I can’t articulate how or why it feels that way even when it’s technically a “bad ending,” but it does (maybe it’s reminiscent of Carrie? Idk).