Note: This analysis contains minor spoilers about the film.
This blog post explores the 2024 film The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, as a critical commentary on the societal pressures faced by ageing women. Through its narrative and visual elements, the film highlights the pervasive ageism and unrealistic beauty standards that women encounter as they age. By drawing on recent academic discussions and feminist critiques, this analysis seeks to understand the film's impact on contemporary discourse surrounding female ageing.
The enormous success of the film The Substance has brought the topic of female ageing into the limelight, highlighting the societal pressures and challenges women face as they grow older. For example, the societal expectation women face to balance a successful career, family life, and a perfect personal appearance, which can become increasingly difficult with age. This film has sparked important conversations about ageism and beauty standards. The Substance follows Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a middle-aged television fitness presenter and celebrity who, after being fired due to her age, resorts to using a black-market drug that creates a younger version of herself (Margaret Qualley) with unexpected and grotesque side effects.
The film has been widely praised for its clever satire on the pressures of ageing and beauty, and its incredibly lifelike imagery. It received five nominations at the 97th Academy Awards (‘Oscars’) and five nominations at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards. This recognition highlights the film's role in bringing these important issues to the forefront of contemporary discussions, encouraging a deeper examination and dialogue about how older women are represented and treated in the media and wider society.
The popularity of the film highlights the critical need for scholarly discourse and societal change regarding age-related biases and the representation of women in media. The work of Barrett and Toothman (2018) illustrates how social contexts influence women's anxiety about aging, which is directly relevant to the themes explored in The Substance. Similarly, Wallach et al. (2017) discuss the internalisation of ageist beauty norms and their impact on older women, a concept vividly reflected in the film. The Substance, therefore, works as an excellent example of how cinema can illustrate contemporary research findings about ageing into a popular and accessible form.
In my academic research, I have recently begun applying Mary Douglas' concept of 'Matter Out of Place' (Douglas, 1966) as a theoretical framework. In her book Purity and Danger, Douglas suggests that "dirt" is essentially any matter considered out of place within a given society. This concept highlights how cultural and social contexts define what is seen as clean or unclean, sacred or profane.
Using this theory to analyse some of the issues faced by the main character in The Substance, it becomes evident that certain plot lines align with Douglas' theory. In this context, "dirt" or "matter out of place" symbolises anything that disrupts the established order. Elisabeth's ageing body, seen as out of place in the youth-obsessed entertainment industry, powerfully represents the societal challenges faced by ageing women. Below are some of the themes that can be interpreted from the film through Douglas’ lens.
Theme One: Identity and Self-Worth
Elisabeth's struggle with ageing reflects a deeper crisis of identity and self-worth. As she ages, she feels increasingly invisible and irrelevant, exacerbated by the TV industry's focus on youth. This internal conflict highlights how societal pressures can erode a woman's sense of self, making her feel out of place in her own skin. This is demonstrated by the work of Soulie et al. (2024), who found that ageist beauty norms are woven into women's everyday interactions, often leading to feelings of invisibility and devaluation.
Theme Two: Professional Marginalisation
The film also explores how ageing women are marginalised in their professions. Elisabeth's career decline is not just about losing her job but about being systematically pushed out of an industry that once celebrated her. This marginalisation reflects broader societal trends where older women are often overlooked for promotions and opportunities, reinforcing their sense of being out of place. Research by Wallach et al. (2017) supports this, showing how ageist beauty norms contribute to the professional marginalisation of older women.
Theme Three: Physical Transformation
Elisabeth's physical transformation after taking the drug highlights the extreme pressures women face to conform to societal beauty standards. This change can be viewed as a metaphor for the internal and external challenges experienced by women who struggle to meet these expectations, often leading to a sense of alienation from their own bodies. Barrett and Toothman (2018) discuss how societal pressures can drive individuals to take drastic measures to maintain youthfulness.
Theme Four: Cultural Critique
The film works as a critique of the cultural obsession with youth and beauty. By depicting Elisabeth's transformation into a younger version of herself, the film questions the value placed on physical appearance and the societal norms that dictate what is considered beautiful. This critique positions Elisabeth as out of place within a culture that prioritises superficial attributes over intrinsic qualities. This mirrors some of the work of Soulie et al. (2024), who explore how older women navigate these societal pressures and the impact on their self-perception.
Theme Five: Interpersonal Relationships
Elisabeth's relationships with others, including her younger self, Sue, highlight the isolation and disconnection that can come with ageing. As she becomes more desperate to maintain her youth, her interactions become strained and superficial, reflecting how societal pressures can distort personal relationships and make individuals feel out of place even among loved ones. This theme is mirrored in the findings of Wallach et al. (2017), who argue the social exclusion experienced by older women due to ageist beauty norms.
The Substance is a remarkable film that brings critical attention to these pressures. Through its narrative and visual elements, the film effectively critiques the unrealistic beauty standards that dominate our culture. This cinematic work draws attention to the urgent need for more inclusive and diverse representations of ageing women in media.
As scholars and advocates of health ageing, it is essential for us to utilise the momentum generated by this film to promote policies that combat ageism and support research addressing age-related biases. Additionally, creating environments where women of all ages feel valued and respected is crucial. The Substance not only highlights the challenges faced by ageing women but also serves as a powerful catalyst for societal change, encouraging us to celebrate and support women at all stages of their lives.
About the Authors
Dr Kate Bancroft is a Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing.
Opinions of the blogger is their own and not endorsed by the Institute
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