Coralie Fargeat's body horror film The Substance (2024) makes for a solid social commentary on beauty standards, aging, and the male gaze. The film's metaphors and symbolism-relating to the themes previously mentioned-are prominent throughout the narrative, with the exploration of injecting a black-market substance being used as a metaphor for a temporary form of escapism from one's insecurities. As a result of this, substances of this nature will ultimately make you unrecognisable and could metaphorically turn you into a monster if excessively used.
Moreover, the film's exploration of Elizabeth Sparkles' stardom is symbolically introduced in the film's opening sequence as well as the ending sequence. This is conveyed through the use of a high-angled shot of her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In the opening sequence, the audience is introduced to Elizabeth's career coming to an end, as citizens of LA walk over her star, which symbolises her being disrespected, pushed to the side, and forgotten. However, following the film's third act and the final show that Elizabeth puts on for the people who have forgotten her, Fargeat once again captures a high-angle shot of Elizabeth's star before a man cleans it, and carefully walks over it - as a sign of respect. This demonstrates that Elizabeth unintentionally destroyed her own body and became a monster to be finally noticed.
The contrast between male and female sexualisation is thematically conveyed throughout the film, which is initially highlighted during a sequence involving Harvey (portrayed by Dennis Quaid) using the facilities in the men's bathroom of his office building. Harvey is framed through the use of an extreme close-up, as Fargeat conveys that men are not sexualised during intimate moments like such, and their face is only shown. However, when Elizabeth and Sue are showering in the privacy of their own home, the camera captures their bodies, which creates a sense of voyeurism.
Fargeat further emphasises the themes of power and gender during a restaurant sequence involving Elizabeth and Harvey at lunch. The use of close-ups, extreme close-ups, and jump cuts creates a sense of anxiety-which is what Elizabeth is experiencing as a result of Harvey devouring shrimp, while creating a mess. The purpose of the restaurant sequence is to indicate to the audience that there is a contrast between Harvey and Elizabeth, as well as powerful men in industries and corporate businesses, and women who desire to climb the career ladder while attempting to please everyone.
Furthermore, throughout the picture, Elizabeth and Sue are hyper-aware and conscious of a singular hair out of place. Whereas, Harvey has no concern as to whether he has shrimp over his face or on his suit, as well as on the restaurant table, demonstrating that he has no table manners and is unaware of the way in which he is presenting himself. This reaffirms his lack of respect for others and his inner belief that he is immune to any consequences as a result of his unsociable, immoral actions and behaviour.