Cover Demi Moore in ‘The Substance’ (photo: IMDB)
Demi Moore in ‘The Substance’ (photo: IMDB)
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If you loved the theme of Demi Moore's in ‘The Substance,’ here are other films that explore this theme
Staying young forever is obviously impossible, but you can’t blame people for yearning for the fountain of youth. Youth is when people are faster, stronger, smoother. Society always praises the young or people who’ve reached a certain age who look or feel young. We laud Jennifer Aniston, 55, for looking good in a bikini. We marvel at 78-year-old Cher’s energy. It’s no wonder the desire for eternal youth is such a prevalent theme in media.
The psychological effects of ageism were explored intensely in the body horror film The Substance. Directed by Coralie Fargeat, The Substance centres on Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a fading celebrity dismissed from her long-running television aerobics show due to her age. Desperate to regain her youth, Elisabeth turns to a black-market drug known as “the substance,” which generates a younger version of herself named Sue (Margaret Qualley). As Elisabeth and Sue navigate their shared existence, they encounter unforeseen consequences that challenge their perceptions of identity and self-worth.
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There’s more than one film that delves into the subject of ageism—and not all of them fall into the body-horror genre. These films discuss the enduring pressure to stay young and the lengths people go through to find that elusive fountain of youth.
1. ‘The Fountain’ (2006)
Above ‘The Fountain’ (2006) (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘The Fountain’ (2006) (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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The Darren Aronofsky film The Fountain is an ambitious meditation on love, mortality, and the quest for eternal life, spanning a thousand years and three intertwining narratives. In the 16th century, a conquistador (Hugh Jackman) seeks the mythical Tree of Life to save his queen. In the present day, a scientist races against time to cure his wife (Rachel Weisz) of a terminal illness. In a transcendent future, a space traveller journeys through the cosmos to reconcile love and loss. The celebrated director’s visually stunning epic merges romance and philosophy, delivering a poignant study of humanity’s relentless yearning to defy death and embrace eternity.
2. ‘Death Becomes Her’ (1992)
Above ‘Death Becomes Her’ (1992) (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘Death Becomes Her’ (1992) (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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Starring Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep, Death Becomes Her is a darkly comedic tale of vanity, rivalry, and immortality. Lifelong frenemies Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp vie for eternal youth and beauty, thanks to a mysterious potion promising everlasting life. However, their newfound immortality comes with a grim twist: while they no longer age or die, their bodies are far from indestructible. Their rivalry spirals into outrageous chaos. It may be a comedy, but this cult classic reveals the price of vanity and the absurdity of perfection. It has wit, glamour and just the right amount of macabre.
3. ‘Stardust’ (2007)
With a stellar cast of characters, Stardust weaves a spellbinding tale of love, magic, and ruthless ambition. When Tristan embarks on a quest to retrieve a fallen star to win his beloved’s affection, he discovers the star is a radiant celestial being named Yvaine. But their journey turns perilous as a trio of ancient witches, led by the sinister Lamia, hunts Yvaine. In this world, consuming the heart of a star promises to restore lost youth and power. This epic fantasy demonstrates the lengths some will go to reclaim lost vitality—at any cost.
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4. ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ (1945)
Above ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ (1945) (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ (1945) (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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This adaptation of the Oscar Wilde classic—one of many versions throughout the years—is a haunting picture of vanity and moral decay set against a backdrop of opulent Victorian decadence. The story follows Dorian Gray, a strikingly handsome young man who makes a Faustian wish: his portrait ages and bears the marks of his sins, while he remains eternally youthful.
As the painting grows grotesque, reflecting his increasingly depraved actions, Dorian’s life spirals into a chilling descent. It’s a beautifully constructed film and received an Academy Award for Cinematography.
5. ‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)
Above ‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993) (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993) (photo: courtesy of IMDB)
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Not every story has to be dramatic or horrific. Hocus Pocus is a spellbinding romp through Salem, following the Sanderson sisters—Winifred, Sarah, and Mary—three flamboyant witches resurrected after 300 years by a curious teenager named Max. Their mission? To reclaim their youth and beauty by stealing the life force of children before sunrise, lest they turn to dust.
It's up to Max, his sister Dani, their friend Allison and a cursed talking cat named Binx to stop them from fully resurrecting. Hocus Pocus is a family-friendly semi-musical with a deep message. It released a sequel in 2022, proving that nearly 30 years later, ageism has not changed.
