The Substance secures 5 Oscar nominations and revolutionizes the horror genre at the awards

A fast-paced opening defined this year’s awards season, with “The Substance,” directed by Coralie Fargeat and starring Demi Moore, stealing the spotlight. Launched with a bold body horror premise, the film stunned audiences by earning five Oscar nominations, including best picture, best director, and best actress. The plot, blending extreme gore with a sharp critique of misogyny and ageism in Hollywood, has not only captivated viewers and critics but also shattered historical barriers by placing horror at the forefront of the Academy’s attention. With a $17.5 million budget and a global box office haul of $76 million, its commercial triumph complements its cultural impact, underscoring the genre’s power to tackle deep, timely issues.

Demi Moore, at 62, is experiencing a career resurgence with her role as Elisabeth Sparkle, a Hollywood star discarded by the industry upon turning 50. Her first Oscar nod for best actress in over four decades of acting reflects a long-overdue recognition of a talent that once shone in classics like “Ghost” and “G.I. Jane.” The physical and emotional transformation demanded by the role, paired with striking visual effects, positions her performance as one of the most talked-about of the season.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of “The Substance” among best picture nominees signals a rare shift in the Academy’s view of horror. Traditionally overlooked, the genre now gains prominence with a narrative that transcends mere shocks, offering a visceral reflection on aesthetic pressure and the disposal of women in entertainment. The blend of grotesque elements and a potent social message has sparked intense debates among voters.

Path to the Oscars: a journey of blood and bravery

When “The Substance” debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, few predicted it would become a landmark in the awards season. The world premiere earned fervent applause, and Coralie Fargeat’s bold exploration of body horror through a female lens drew immediate attention. The story follows Elisabeth, who, after being fired by a sexist executive played by Dennis Quaid, turns to an experimental drug promising a young, “perfect” version of herself, portrayed by Margaret Qualley. What unfolds is a spiral of physical and psychological violence, with scenes that push viewers to their limits. Fargeat’s best director nod makes her the only woman in the category this year, a milestone that amplifies the film’s significance.

Breaking barriers seems to be this production’s mantra. Beyond best picture and director, “The Substance” also secured nominations for best original screenplay and best makeup and hairstyling, the latter a tribute to its stunning prosthetics and special effects work. Moore’s transformation into an aged, deformed figure—complete with a pronounced hunchback and sagging skin—stands out as a highlight, while Qualley shines as the youthful Sue, embodying the arrogance of youth against Elisabeth’s vulnerability.

The film’s rise wasn’t without challenges. Its excessive gore, featuring moments like a woman emerging from a gash in another’s back or organs spilling from a jumpsuit, turned off some squeamish viewers. Yet, strong box office numbers and positive word-of-mouth proved audiences are willing to dive into this singular experience, particularly for its ability to fuse entertainment with social critique.

Why horror deserves more respect at the Academy

Rarely has a horror film pierced the Oscars with the force of “The Substance.” In nearly a century of the awards, only seven horror films have been nominated for best picture, with “The Silence of the Lambs” as the sole winner in 1991. Fargeat’s best director nod positions her to potentially become the second filmmaker to win for a horror film, following Jonathan Demme. If Moore prevails, she’d be the seventh actress to claim an Oscar for a horror role—a statistic that highlights the genre’s longstanding marginalization by the Academy.

Horror’s resistance often stems from its link to cheap thrills and gratuitous violence, but “The Substance” defies that stigma. The story probes the self-inflicted violence of Elisabeth and Sue as a mirror to a society that rejects women based on age or looks. A raw scene of Moore—sans prosthetics—scrubbing her skin while applying and removing makeup in front of a mirror stands as one of the film’s most brutal moments, exposing the pain of a woman judged by a ruthless industry.

During this awards season, other horror films also made waves, like Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu,” which earned technical nods, and “Longlegs,” starring Nicolas Cage. Still, actors like Toni Collette in “Hereditary” and Lupita Nyong’o in “Us” remain glaring examples of overlooked performances from past years, showing that horror’s acceptance remains a work in progress.

Timeline of success: from Cannes to nominations

Tracking “The Substance’s” journey reveals an impressive arc. Here’s a rundown of the film’s key milestones en route to the Oscars:

• May: World premiere at Cannes, met with warm reception and early praise for Fargeat’s daring vision and Moore’s commitment.
• September: Theatrical release, raking in $76 million worldwide.
• January: Moore wins the Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy or musical, emphasizing in her speech the importance of horror’s recognition.
• February: Five Oscar nominations announced, cementing the film as a season frontrunner.

The awards campaign gained momentum with wins like the Critics Choice Award for Moore, bolstering her narrative of a triumphant comeback after years of less prominent roles.

Grotesque highlights that define the film

Visceral sums up the imagery of “The Substance.” The film spares no detail in its disturbing visuals, deployed to amplify its message. Standout moments include:

• A sequence where Elisabeth injects the drug with a menacing needle, followed by Sue bursting from her split spine.
• Loose organs tumbling from an unbuttoned jumpsuit, symbolizing the protagonist’s physical decay.
• The final transformation into “Monstro Elisasue,” a hybrid creature that explodes in blood and guts before dissolving into goo.

These scenes, paired with prolonged nudity and close-ups of female bodies, have split opinions. Some see a critique of objectification, while others wonder if the film inadvertently echoes the male gaze it aims to condemn.

Cultural impact and Demi Moore’s voice

At 62, Demi Moore emerges as a symbol of resilience in “The Substance.” Her Golden Globe win in January marked a personal milestone. In her acceptance speech, she recalled being labeled a “popcorn actress” early in her career, dismissed as unserious, and how the role of Elisabeth Sparkle shifted that narrative. The February Oscar nod is viewed as validation—not just of her performance, but of a career marked by Hollywood’s peaks and valleys.

Moore’s strength lies in her exposed vulnerability. A shower scene where she sobs, free of makeup or effects, contrasts with the film’s grotesque transformations, offering a glimpse of the woman beneath the star. That unadorned moment is hailed as one of the season’s most powerful.

What makes “The Substance” unique?

Beyond the gore, the film stands out for its political edge. Its critique of sexism and ageism in Hollywood resonates with audiences, especially women who relate to Elisabeth’s fight to stay relevant. Fargeat’s choice to amplify the grotesque serves as a hyperbolic mirror to reality, where the obsession with youth and beauty drives extremes.

The best original screenplay nod celebrates Fargeat’s skill in crafting a story that’s both a visual nightmare and a biting satire. Her collaboration with Moore and Qualley elevates the script, with both actresses delivering performances that teeter between tragedy and absurdity.

Fierce competition in the final stretch

Heading into the Oscars, “The Substance” faces stiff competition. In best actress, Moore squares off against Cynthia Erivo of “Wicked” and Mikey Madison of “Anora,” both lauded for roles in contrasting genres. For best picture, contenders include “The Brutalist” and “Emilia Pérez,” which also tackle complex social themes.

The director race pits Fargeat against established names, while the makeup and hairstyling of “The Substance” vies with “Nosferatu’s” technical prowess. The unpredictability of the vote keeps the tension high, though horror’s presence among nominees is already a win in itself.

Legacy for the future of horror

Shifting perceptions about horror is among “The Substance’s” greatest feats. Its five Oscar nods, announced in February, not only affirm Fargeat and Moore’s work but also pave the way for the genre to gain serious traction. Directors like Jordan Peele and M. Night Shyamalan have laid groundwork, yet body horror’s visceral approach adds a fresh layer to the conversation.

The film’s success could spur filmmakers to pursue bold narratives, knowing there’s room for recognition beyond technical categories. For Moore, it’s a chance to redefine her career; for horror, it’s a step toward broader acceptance in Hollywood’s elite.