I totally agree with your points. Don't feel uncomfortable! You wanted to love it but couldn't (it happens all the time), and expressed clearly in detail why was that case.
I believe the problem with Fargeat's movies is that she's a better director than a storyteller. She will hook you with her rich visual style, symbolism, and suspense but fail to explore the entirety of her own ideas. That's what happened to The Substance. The premise is brilliant but Fargeat leaves half of it unexplored, and trades "substance" for shock value and sensational body horror. It's a beatifully shot and directed film, but the last 25-30 minutes felt like as if Fargeat was basically trolling us. I appreciated how she pushed the boundaries of body horror, but I felt that she got lost in it way too deep. (I had the same issue with her first feature Revenge, too. The Substance is definitely a step up, though).
Yeah, I had a similar sentiment. I'm really surprised this film isn't more divisive and that I'm seeing universal praise for it. It's far too undisciplined and all over the place unfortunately.
Don't apologise. They should have shaved 30 minutes. It's as overrated as Mad Max, so overblown that it loses its message. Rather watch 'Pandemonium', 'MadS', 'Late Night With the Devil', or 'I Saw the TV Glow'. Without a message (or soundtrack), 'In a Violent Nature' was more chilling than 'The Substance' .
I totally agree with your points. Don't feel uncomfortable! You wanted to love it but couldn't (it happens all the time), and expressed clearly in detail why was that case.
I believe the problem with Fargeat's movies is that she's a better director than a storyteller. She will hook you with her rich visual style, symbolism, and suspense but fail to explore the entirety of her own ideas. That's what happened to The Substance. The premise is brilliant but Fargeat leaves half of it unexplored, and trades "substance" for shock value and sensational body horror. It's a beatifully shot and directed film, but the last 25-30 minutes felt like as if Fargeat was basically trolling us. I appreciated how she pushed the boundaries of body horror, but I felt that she got lost in it way too deep. (I had the same issue with her first feature Revenge, too. The Substance is definitely a step up, though).
I preferred 'Revenge' because it was what it wanted to be.
True, but part of it is that it’s frustratingly stupid. Great direction, pretty awful script.
Don't be too liberal to forget that a movie intended to be sexy and B-grade was good B-grade and had a sexy tummy :)
I can’t deny that :)
Yeah, I had a similar sentiment. I'm really surprised this film isn't more divisive and that I'm seeing universal praise for it. It's far too undisciplined and all over the place unfortunately.
https://abhinavyerramreddy.substack.com/p/the-substance-a-bloody-mess?r=38m95e
Don't apologise. They should have shaved 30 minutes. It's as overrated as Mad Max, so overblown that it loses its message. Rather watch 'Pandemonium', 'MadS', 'Late Night With the Devil', or 'I Saw the TV Glow'. Without a message (or soundtrack), 'In a Violent Nature' was more chilling than 'The Substance' .