The Substance is one of the most intriguing horror films of the modern era, and one insightful fan theory makes it even more fascinating. The 2024 critical darling stars Demi Moore as an aging actress who uses a mysterious new drug to regain her youth. Through pointed commentary, The Substance critiques the ageism and sexism prevalent in Hollywood.
Instead of relying on conventional scares, The Substance chooses a body horror approach, blending grotesque special effects with a unique visual style. The horror-as-metaphor technique is trending in modern cinema, but The Substance takes it a step further by delving into the depths of its own complex ideas.
This type of film naturally sparks extensive discussion and fan theories about what The Substance actually signifies. While some theories are as outrageous as the film itself, others are grounded and could potentially hold truth. One particular theory completely recontextualizes the movie, although it doesn’t necessarily enhance the viewing experience.
One Fan Theory Suggests The Substance Takes Place In Elizabeth’s Head
The folks over at Reddit provide no shortage of fan theories, but user Clear-Rest-988 posted a theory on r/TheSubstance that actually makes sense. The user wrote, “I had a thought. What if it was all in Elizabeth’s head?” They elaborated, “after the first hit…Elizabeth passed out, possibly hits her head and then has this crazy nightmare."
Demi Moore was nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars for her role in The Substance.
Essentially, the theory suggests that most of the film was merely a dream before dying. Elizabeth experiences vivid nightmares about her journey with the titular drug, influenced by her own anxieties that shape how the story unfolds. She is aware of her own replacement, which alters the direction of her dreamscape.
The user supports this theory by noting that the entire process of obtaining “The Substance” appears to be a scam. The fact that it’s “marketed towards desperate people” further implies it may be an illicit recreational drug rather than a miraculous anti-aging cure. The film offers few hints to support any theory, making the user’s ideas seem plausible.
Elizabeth & Sue Being Awake At The Same Time Supports The Theory
One aspect of the movie that the Reddit user failed to mention actually bolsters their theory. As the film becomes increasingly bizarre, there comes a moment when Sue and Elizabeth are awake simultaneously and can interact with each other. This should not be possible according to the established rules of the film, implying an almost dreamlike state.
Since Sue and Elizabeth are supposed to be the same person throughout, their separation could be seen as evidence supporting the fan theory but leaves unanswered questions. If everything is merely Elizabeth’s dream, it stands to reason that she might forget how the drug is supposed to function, allowing her imagination to wander beyond reality.
This way, Sue can embody all of Elizabeth’s worst fears and manifest physically. It becomes somewhat convoluted when Sue seems unaware of the plan to eliminate her, almost as if they share no real connection. This could further validate the theory since it employs dream logic rather than strict adherence to reality.
The Themes Of The Substance Still Work If This Theory Is True
The best part of this fan theory is that it does not alter the movie’s core message. Since The Substance is already a wild ride, the “it was all a dream” theory does not detract from the brilliant themes presented in the film. The story revolves around Elizabeth’s internal experience, which remains unchanged.
The horror serves as a facade for conveying messages about aging and sexism, which holds true even within a dream context. If Elizabeth’s nightmares are profoundly disturbing, it reveals more about her character than any specific scene could. If she perceives herself as a monster in her dreams, she does not need to embody that monster in reality.
Elizabeth can live through Sue in her dreams but can also envision aspects of herself that do not truly exist. Sue and Elizabeth are distinctly different, making it so that the younger woman can represent a dreamlike manifestation of what Elizabeth wishes she could have been. She dreams of an unattainable youth.
This Theory Being True Would Make The Substance A Worse Movie
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While this fan theory does not diminish the deeper message of the movie, it would render The Substance a less effective horror film. Body horror can be bizarre and strange, but it requires an element of plausibility to evoke terror. If Elizabeth’s descent is merely a dream, it significantly undermines the impact of its shocking climax.
A key aspect of The Substance‘s value lies in its explosive finale, which builds suspense meticulously throughout its narrative. If that climactic scene isn’t real, it strips away its grotesque impact and turns it into farce. The extravagant conclusion serves as a payoff for everything preceding it—without its grounding in reality, it’s simply one grand joke.
