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The extreme horror film [The Substance] causing mass cinema walkouts around the world (www.independent.co.uk)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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A new body horror film is causing walkouts in cinemas across the world due to its extreme gore.

Those in attendance of screenings of the new film have been sharing their experience of sitting through the two-hour plus title while audience members around them decided enough was enough.

The film in question is The Substance, which is directed by Coralie Fargeat and was named one of the best titles at this year’s Cannes Film Festival by The Independent, who predicted its thrills would receive “a love it or hate it” response upon release.

...

Its enticing plot has lured in cinemagoers who clearly weren’t prepared for how extreme things get; The Independent previously called The Substance “a body horror that goes places even body horror aficionados will be shocked by”.

After seeing the film, a cinemagoer wrote: “My review of The Substance is that people walked out of our screening and as far as I’m concerned we don’t have enough movies where that might happen,” with another stating: “Some people walked out of the screening of The Substance we were at last night. One of the most violent films I've ever seen.”

One person added: “I’ve seen thousands of films and it’s very hard to shock me, but this gloriously demented movie was cray-cray on 11. ‘The Substance’ is not for the faint of heart (during my viewing, several people walked out mid film), but is an instant cult classic. You’ve been warned.”

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[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 month ago

This is a great example of why The Independent is a shit source. We have two reviews without a location linked that mention a couple of people walking out. We also don’t know the reasons why. Based on the movie timeline, the “extreme gore” hasn’t even started when the reviews mention walkouts. “Walkouts across the world” needs a bit more than two online comments. I fucking hate The Independent.

The movie is really good. I can definitely understand squeamish folks wanting to stay away. I closed my eyes a lot because I can’t handle the level of body horror in the movie. It’s really fucking good. Compared to the bullshit people tried last year with Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future, this is real body horror, not just a bunch of goths with body mods from central casting.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 month ago (3 children)

I’m never gonna bother watching this film as it’s just not my thing, can someone tell me what the worst scenes are?

Article has me intrigued at least 😆

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 month ago

It's a bit tricky as the film ramps up the outrageousness until the spectacular finale. It would also need a description of the plot. I think Wikipedia might be the best place to start your reading, then jump to this article for more detail on the last two paragraphs of plot. There's a longer breakdown of the plot here.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I won't read it because I'll probably watch this, but Common Sense Media is a pretty good source for listing (spoiling) the objectionable content in movies

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-substance

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Spoiler, even though why would you be reading comments on this article if you were worried about spoilers...

spoiler

I had heard the hype about this being a gross-out body horror movie so was a little more prepared when we watched it. In that light, I was actually a little surprised that the initial transformation scene didn't go even further. There were a few moments that made me cringe or look away from the screen, like the infected spinal tap stuff. I wasn't tempted to walk out necessarily, but in the final ~20 minutes it ramps up to such a ridiculous and surreal level that it was like, "Ok, I get it. That's enough now," and started checking my watch. But that seems to be what they were going for, so kudos.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It’s no worse than any Cronenberg flick. Videodrome and The Fly had crazier scenes. I’ve seen it twice and if anything it gets a little over the top… but possibly just not the cup of tea for your average Demi Moore fan?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I’ve seen it twice and if anything it gets a little over the top…

Well it is a comedy horror, so going all Braindead/Tokyo Gore Police at the end seems appropriate.

but possibly just not the cup of tea for your average Demi Moore fan?

I do wonder if it might catch some unaware, as you wouldn't expect a big name attached to a film that may push the limits for some people. Even if you checked the reviews, they'd tend not to describe the end in detail. However, every article about it is pretty clear that it isn't some tame meditation on aging, so they can't say they haven't been warned.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Wait, were people bothered by Tokyo Gore Police? I thought it was so ridiculous and over top unbelievable that it was hilarious. I can't decide if I wanna watch this one or not

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Wait, were people bothered by Tokyo Gore Police?

May be some but as it is an obscure Japanese film with an unsubtle title, I think most people got exactly what they expected.

I thought it was so ridiculous and over top unbelievable that it was hilarious.

And that's pretty much his the ending of The Substance hit me, it is a horror comedy after all.

I can’t decide if I wanna watch this one or not

If you liked TGP (and other films like Braindead) then I'd say it is a must-see.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I guess I'll add it to the list. Not sure how my partner will feel about it lol. They liked Terrifier, so we'll see

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

If they were OK with Terrifier (and have, presumably, seen Tokyo Gore Police) then I can't see this being a big issue. I suspect the walkouts were largely from the unwary going in blind and not realising what they were in for.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Gotcha. Thanks for all the info!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

Yea kinda my thought too… it did go Gore Police at the end which kinda got distracting to me. “Where’s this blood coming from?”

But it’s advertising leveraged more of the anti-aging/beauty standards aspects of the story not… the other part.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 month ago

This is annual horror movie marketing via "the news"

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago

the very end is just a gwar music video.

the trailer straight up spoils the whole movie so I'm guessing a lot of people went in blind and were surprised pika 🙀

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago

I was surprised no-one walked out when I saw it but I felt it ramped things up nicely, so, by the time the wildest scenes land, people are already committed to the film. Apparently, not.