Coralie Fargeat’s new film, a provocative body horror satire on aging titled *The Substance*, is set to stream just in time for Halloween. How does this distinctively female perspective shape a genre that often explores our darkest fears?
This month, the unexpected success of *Terrifier 3* highlights the enduring fascination with body horror and our innate curiosity about the most horrific possibilities for our physical forms. Fargeat’s *The Substance* creatively plays on our anxieties surrounding bodily decay, presenting a bold critique of Hollywood’s ageism. With performances by Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, the film showcases their dramatic clash as they inhabit the body of a once-famous actress. While I found the narrative a bit stretched and, at times, conceptually lacking, the film undeniably stirs conversations among viewers since its theater debut last month, and it conveniently hits streaming platforms on October 31.
In comparison, Julia Ducournau, Fargeat’s contemporary, has made remarkable strides in the body horror genre with her 2016 debut, *Raw*, which tells the story of a vegetarian student developing a taste for human flesh. She further pushed boundaries with *Titane*, a Palme d’Or-winning film that delves into themes of mechanophilia and gender identity, combining visceral body horror with striking imagery.
The emergence of female filmmakers like Fargeat and Ducournau is refreshing in a genre traditionally dominated by male voices—David Cronenberg remains a major influence with his iconic body horror films. His ability to intertwine narrative and grotesque imagery is legendary, and films like *Videodrome* and *The Fly* serve as prime examples of his mastery, highlighting societal fears through bodily transformation.
While newcomers like Fargeat and Ducournau pave their way, many genre fans still cherish the grittier, cult classics born in the VHS era. Films such as *Re-Animator* and *Society* explored dark social themes through body horror, leading to cult followings. Additionally, titles like *Street Trash* and Frank Henenlotter’s twisted narratives further exemplify the genre’s charm, even as they tread into the absurd.
Ken Russell offered a sophisticated take on body horror with *Altered States*, blending pseudoscience with psychological depth, while Shinya Tsukamoto’s *Tetsuo: The Iron Man* delivers an intense experience with its fast-paced, metallic transformations.
As we look forward to Halloween, several fresh streaming offerings are also on the horizon. Alex Gibney’s documentary *In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon* dives deep into the life of the iconic artist. For fans of romantic dramas, Justin Baldoni’s adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s *It Ends With Us* promises to capture the emotional complexities of love tinged by trauma.
Additionally, *Late Night With the Devil*, featuring a clever found-footage approach set in the 1970s, offers a unique indie horror experience centered around demonic possession. And *Sky Peals*, an atmospheric film by Moin Hussain, presents a poignant exploration of mixed-race identity through the lens of offbeat science fiction.
As Fargeat and Ducournau contribute new narratives to body horror, it’s clear the genre continues to evolve and captivate audiences around Halloween and beyond.
