Demi Moore’s new horror thriller is dubbed ‘most disgusting film ever’ featuring spinal injections, a vomited-up breast, and lashings of blood

A new horror thriller starring Hollywood star Demi Moore has been described by some viewers as “the most disgusting movie ever.”

The Substance, which debuts today on the global streaming platform Mubi, has been causing a stir since its Cannes premiere in May.

The film won the award for best screenplay at the prestigious French film festival and was also very well received by critics, with reviewers calling the film “insane” and “the most insane film of the last 20 years.”

Of course, this chatter was about some of the film’s unsavory practices. For example, the 61-year-old character Elisabeth Sparkle even injected herself into her spine. All of this was done in an attempt to counteract the physical effects of aging by using a protocol called “the substance.” However, this led to some unexpected outcomes, including a scene that some described as “boob-busting.”

In the photo, Moore is an older TV fitness instructor who once had a successful career but is now in her 50s and has been fired from her TV show due to declining ratings.

“A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself,” the IMDb synopsis reads.

In Sparkle’s attempt to create a “younger, better” version of herself, she goes to repulsive extremes – resulting in a film full of blood and gore. The reactions from viewers have been both praise and horror.

Moore told BBC News of the role: ‘It was a completely unique, out-of-the-box script. You could see it was visually stimulating, but at the same time we had no idea how it was going to end. That made it even more risky and juicy.’

She added: ‘I felt like that’s why I wanted to do it, in a way. Part of what made it interesting was that I was going to such a raw, vulnerable place, to really let loose. And it was very liberating in a lot of ways.’

After ingesting the experimental “substance,” a new version of the actress—played by Margaret Qualley—bursts out of Sparkle’s body. There are then two versions of Sparkle, who must hide from the public to keep their secret—which, if discovered, will have grotesque consequences for both of them.

And while Sparkle and her “alter-ego” who calls herself “Sue” live in separate bodies and lead separate lives, they must “stabilize” each day. They are connected by Sparkle, who is the “matrix.”

Every day they must inject themselves with cerebrospinal fluid through a nauseating process.

Oh, and they enjoy freedom on an alternating basis each week. So while one of the two characters is living outside, the other is comatose locked in a bathroom.

The rule that they can never spend more than seven days in the real world is emphasized, and when the two inevitably have to deal with this, the other becomes increasingly frustrated, leading to a violent physical fight in Sparkle’s apartment.

According to some critics, despite the sense of inevitable dread that viewers experience while watching the film, the gore in the film’s final act is downright shocking. Bodies are seen exploding and at one point a breast is even vomited out.

While many fans of gory films will enjoy the blood, limbs, and vomit, the film has another important point to make.

This, of course, is the idea on which the film is based: the lengths this woman goes to to conform to society’s standards of beauty, which primarily include youth and thinness.

For a Hollywood veteran like Demi Moore, a stunningly talented and beautiful actress who has been shining on the silver screen for decades, the challenge of playing the role of Elisabeth Sparkle, no matter how daunting, was achievable.

According to the film’s director, Coralie Fargeat, Moore “really understood the role” and was willing to take the risk of jumping into it.

She told BBC News: ‘I knew from the beginning that it would be very difficult to cast an actress in this kind of story who could portray such intense themes, which are very close to my heart.’

Fargeat continued: ‘And when the idea of ​​Demi came up, I knew for sure she wouldn’t want to do it, I thought it would be too scary. And when I heard that she responded positively to the script, I thought, “Oh my God!” I was very surprised.’

According to Kevin Maher of the Timeswho called the film “childish, pointless and intellectually deceptive.”

However, other critics gave it five stars, including Rolling StoneAnna Smith is quoted as saying that the film will “make you think, talk and squirm.” She added that the film pushes the body horror genre to its limits, “challenging the viewer to keep watching rather than hide, squirm or even puke — all responses are perfectly achievable.”

Another five star review came from the TelegraphTim Robey described it as ‘a superb satirical horror thriller, by turns hilarious, gripping and staggeringly grotesque’.

A number of teasers have been shared for the film, including a trailer that opens with a TV executive played by Dennis Quaid telling Sparkle, “People always ask for something new. It’s inevitable. At 50, well, that’s it.”

What follows is a dizzying collage of images, accompanied by a voiceover saying, “Have you ever dreamed of a better version of yourself, younger, more beautiful, more perfect?

‘A single injection unlocks your DNA and brings out another version of yourself.

“This is the content.”

The viewer is then told that using the substance will give each version of the person seven days – before adding: ‘the one thing you have to remember is that you are one. You can’t escape yourself.’

For this role, Moore had to be completely nude in a scene where Qualley’s character is “born.” In this scene, Moore examines her own naked body before Qualley emerges and looks full-frontally at her own skin.

Moore said, “I had someone who was a great partner who I felt very safe with. We were obviously very close — naked — and we also got a lot of levity in those moments about how absurd those particular situations were. But ultimately it’s just about really managing your communication and mutual trust.

During the photo, Moore transforms into a decrepit old woman using prosthetics and said, “It was very strange. One thing that helped was that my dog ​​still recognized me. It was my touchstone of reality.”

After its premiere, the film reportedly received a 13-minute standing ovation and Moore’s performance was described as “fearless.”

Her co-star Dennis Quaid called her Cannes comeback an “incredible third act” during a press conference after the film screened at the festival.

After being labeled “inspirational,” Moore spoke about her own experiences making the film, which she said “pushed her out of her comfort zone.”

She said, “I look for things that take me out of my comfort zone; the opportunity to become a better person and actor.

‘This touched on so many themes that we all deal with, we seek validation and belonging. By doing [the movie] It takes us to the edge and allows us to step into it in a unique way.

‘I think making the film has made me accept myself more.’

The 13-minute standing ovation after the film was the longest the 77th annual festival has seen to date, as thunderous applause filled the venue.

Moore said the vulnerability she needed for her role in the body horror film was both demanding and exciting.

The Substance will be released on September 20th.