The Substance (2024) is a horror film directed by Coralie Fargeat that delves into unsettling themes of body horror and psychological terror. The movie revolves around intense, grotesque imagery, blending visceral violence with surreal, often disturbing scenarios. Known for its brutal portrayal of the human form, the film features extreme gore, unsettling scenes of self-harm, and an eerie, anxiety-inducing atmosphere. With its bold and shocking approach to horror, The Substance challenges audiences with its unrelenting pace and graphic content, making it a deeply intense and memorable entry in the genre.
The Substance Age Rating and
The Substance is rated R for strong, bloody, violent content, gore, graphic nudity, and language. This rating signifies that the movie is restricted, meaning viewers under 17 require an accompanying parent or adult guardian. The film contains strong elements that may not be appropriate for younger audiences.
The Substance Parents Guide
If you’re considering watching The Substance with teens, here are some details that may help you make an informed decision:
Sex & Nudity – Severe
- The film contains extensive full female nudity throughout, with many scenes of female characters being fully naked for prolonged periods.
- Sexualized imagery is common, with frequent close-up shots focusing on various parts of the female body.
- Some scenes feature women explicitly fondling their breasts, buttocks, and bodies, while the camera graphically zooms in on these actions.
- Male nudity is limited to brief rear shots, presented in a comedic context.
- There are scenes where nude female characters endure extreme brutality, adding to the film’s disturbing nature.
Parents should be cautious, as the nudity and sexual content are explicit and graphic, making it highly inappropriate for younger viewers.
Violence & Gore – Severe
- The film features high-impact blood and gore, with detailed scenes of injury and mutilation.
- Expect close-ups of grotesque imagery, including moments of self-harm that can be particularly confronting.
- The brutality is particularly directed at female characters, making some scenes extremely difficult to watch.
This level of violence is severe and will likely be too extreme for sensitive viewers.
Profanity – Moderate
- The word “fuck” is used at least seven times throughout the film.
- While the profanity is not as frequent as other elements, it contributes to the mature tone of the movie.
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking – Moderate
- The film showcases highly graphic drug use, including disturbing close-ups of injections. There is even a scene where a character injects a substance into an infected area, adding to the discomfort.
- The drug use in the film is frequent and detailed, involving a fictional drug shown in close-up injection scenes throughout.
These scenes of drug use are intense and may be unsettling for some viewers, especially younger audiences.
Frightening & Intense Scenes – Severe
- The Substance is described as one of the goriest films ever made, with high levels of grotesque detail.
- The final 15-20 minutes of the movie are particularly intense and anxiety-inducing, filled with nauseating visuals and terrifying sound effects.
- The entire film is designed to unsettle the viewer, and the combination of graphic content, violent imagery, and sound design makes it an overwhelming experience.
