The Substance” blowtorches a single idea for two hours and 20 minutes, and narratively it turns to ashes by minute 40. It’s easier for a movie to become a talking point that way. Film festival buzz, which “The Substance” enjoyed at its Cannes world premiere,

Finally, “The Substance” is very much a woman’s movie. The way writer-director Coralie Fargeat presents Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley — the matter-of-fact way in which she films their bodies, and the trust that she elicits from them — has the unmistakable stamp of a woman director. This is obvious within minutes.

The actress stars alongside Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid in Coralie Fargeat’s gleefully grotesque movie about an aging celebrity who takes an experimental drug that gives her a younger self.

Since its Cannes premiere “The Substance” has churned controversy over its body horror scenario, frequent, flagrant nudity – and buzz about a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Demi Moore.

Coralie Fargeat's bloody-as-hell satire lets the star flip the bird to showbiz's youth obsessions and beauty double standards - in the best (and grossest) way imaginable

Coralie Fargeat’s sci-fi shocker follows the downward spiral of a 50-year-old movie star who resorts to drastic measures

Demi Moore's new film, The Substance, begins normally enough. Set in Los Angeles, it opens with an aerial view of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where a new star is being installed. Builders are seen taking great care as they lay it,

What is The Substance? It's a drug that will create a younger version of you from your own DNA. That new you will graphically fall out of your back, complete with squishy sound effects.