In her second feature film, The Substance, director Coralie Fargeat presents a brutally intense and violent exploration of what it means to confront oneself—and, more shockingly, to face society twice. The film, which won the Best Screenplay award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, follows the character Elizabeth (played by Demi Moore), who is no longer in the spotlight as she approaches her fifties. While her producer searches for a younger replacement for her role in a sports program, Elizabeth decides to experiment with a mysterious drug known as “The Substance,” which provides her with a younger doppelgänger to share her life with in an organized exchange. Of course, she must follow the instructions carefully to maintain her current and new state, and as is often the case with such experiments, things do not go as planned.The film does not waste time delving into the details of the scientific experiment or its creators; that is not its primary focus. Instead, the screenplay concentrates on two richly layered perspectives: first, society’s narrow view of women, confining them to mere physical appearances; and second, how women and humanity, in general, perceive themselves based on external validation.Demi Moore’s boldness in accepting this role deserves recognition. As a well-known actress, she undoubtedly grapples with the fear of becoming an “Elizabeth” in real life. Moreover, the film features many scenes that reveal how time has taken its toll on her body, which she chose not to shy away from. These scenes are crucial; without them, the film would not achieve its intended effect. While Moore may have starred in several films during this challenging phase of celebrity life, The Substance holds a significant place among similar works due to its unprecedented boldness in addressing complex ideas without sugarcoating anything.Andrew Mohsen