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The ending of The Substance leaves viewers with many questions about Elisabeth's fate. The movie looks at issues of the price of fame, body image and identity. The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, was released on September 20, 2024, and can be seen on MUBI.
Presenting Elisabeth's metamorphosis in more ways than one, this body horror film ends in a dramatic and horrible manner. The finale leaves viewers wondering long after the credits have rolled, packing both emotional and visual shock.
In the final scene, Elisabeth's younger self, Sue, transforms into a monstrous being as her body deteriorates. The Substance she used to regain her youth ultimately leads to her undoing.
In the end, Elisabeth and Sue grapple with their disintegrating identities, but what does that mean for the characters? Let's break down the ending, discuss the plot and examine the themes that run throughout the film.
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The final act of the movie begins when Elisabeth decides to end the toxic cycle of body switching with Sue, but things take a turn when she hesitates to kill her younger counterpart. This hesitation results in both characters' simultaneous existence, setting up a violent conflict.
The offiicial synopsis of the movie states:
"Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? You, only better in every way. You should try this new product, it's called The Substance. IT CHANGED MY LIFE. With The Substance, you can generate another you: younger, more beautiful, more perfect."
It also adds:
"You just have to share time -- one week for one, one week for the other. A perfect balance of seven days each... Easy right? If you respect the balance... What could possibly go wrong?"
The Climactic Showdown Between Elisabeth and Sue In The Substance
The Substance begins its final descent when Sue, who has taken over Elisabeth's body and life, overstays her allowed time. Elisabeth's body starts decaying due to Sue’s excessive extraction of stabilizer fluid.
As a result, Elisabeth seeks a serum to end Sue permanently, but she hesitates at the last minute, leading to a glitch that allows both women to coexist, which results in Sue killing Elisabeth in a fit of rage.
This murder marks the beginning of Sue's downfall. With Elisabeth gone, Sue’s body, unable to sustain itself, starts falling apart. Desperate, Sue injects herself with more substance, attempting to stabilize her condition.
Instead, she mutates into a grotesque hybrid creature — Monstro Elisasue. This transformation symbolizes the self-destruction that comes with the constant pursuit of youth and perfection.
Monstro's Onstage Meltdown
In one of the most visually disturbing moments of The Substance, Sue — now Monstro — takes the stage at the highly anticipated New Year's Eve show. As she tries to perform, her body falls apart, terrifying the audience.
The audience’s revulsion mirrors society’s rejection of anyone who doesn't conform to its rigid standards of beauty. Monstro's desperate plea for acceptance, as grotesque as it may be, represents the film's deeper themes of self-worth and identity.
The chaos escalates as Monstro’s body explodes, covering the audience in blood. This moment symbolizes the violent consequences of the entertainment industry's obsession with image and perfection.
Monstro flees the stage, disintegrating into a pile of flesh and bone. Elisabeth's face emerges from the remains, crawling to her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where she finally finds peace by merging with her former self.
The plot of The Substance
The Substance centers on former Hollywood fitness star Elisabeth Sparkle, who experiences age-related rejection. Desperate to stay relevant, Elisabeth uses "The Substance," an experimental medication meant to bring back youth.
This medicine generates Sue, a younger form of herself who has to share a body with Elisabeth in seven-day cycles. Sue grows more successful than Elisabeth ever was over time, and their relationship suffers as Sue tries to spend more time in control.
As Sue takes more stabilizer fluid, Elisabeth’s body begins to fall apart. The film explores the psychological toll of losing one's identity and the lengths people could go to maintain their youth. Eventually, Elisabeth’s attempts to regain control lead to her own demise, and the creation of Monstro marks the ultimate failure of her quest for eternal beauty.
Production and direction
Directed by Coralie Fargeat, The Substance is a satirical body horror film combining provocative ideas with graphic special effects. Renowned for her original approach to narrative, Fargeat offers the screen her personal experiences as a woman working in show business.
The practical effects and body horror aspects of the movie help to accentuate the unsettling aspect of Elisabeth's metamorphosis, so presenting a terrible picture of the price of beauty and celebrity.
Fargeat’s direction allows the film to explore both the grotesque and the profound. The use of prosthetics and practical effects, especially in the creation of Monstro, was an impressive feat, bringing to life the literal manifestation of Elisabeth and Sue’s internal struggles.
Cast and performances
As Elisabeth Sparkle, Demi Moore gives a performance that catches the vulnerability of a woman battling to keep onto her identity. Margaret Qualley gives the younger version of Elisabeth, Sue, charm and menace, while Sue's plunge into monstrosity is shown by Qualley in both a sad and horrific manner.
Dennis Quaid plays Harvey, the merciless executive who rejects Elisabeth in favor of a younger replacement, underscoring the film's commentary on ageism in Hollywood.
The chemistry between Moore and Qualley drives the narrative, with both actors embodying the duality of the character in compelling ways. Their performances anchor the film’s exploration of identity, fame and the pressures of maintaining an image in the entertainment industry.
Elisabeth's face melting into her star on the Walk of Fame in the last minutes of The Substance offers a terrifying metaphor for the ephemeral character of fame and the unrelenting search of beauty.
The last scene of the movie comments on how society treats young people and shuns them once they no longer fit the ideal. Monstro's sad metamorphosis captures the self-destructive results of following these unmet criteria.
Ultimately, The Substance makes a strong case on the need of self-acceptance and the perils of striving excellence. Viewers of this film will be challenged to consider their own ideas of beauty, identity and self-worth.
