Movie Discussion: November 2024 - The Substance

Join Us for an Insightful Evening at the Therapist Cinema/TV Club Meetup!
Get ready for a chilling dive into The Substance, a 2024 psychological horror film that explores fame, aging, and the dark quest for perfection. Check out the trailer here: The Substance Trailer.

On her 50th birthday, Elisabeth Sparkle, a once-celebrated Hollywood star, is abruptly fired from her long-running aerobics TV show due to her age. Distraught, she crashes her car and is introduced to The Substance, a black-market serum that promises to restore youth and beauty. After injecting the serum, Elisabeth creates a younger version of herself, Sue, with whom she must alternate consciousness every seven days. As Sue thrives in the spotlight, Elisabeth becomes a reclusive, self-loathing shell of her former self. Tensions escalate as the two women grow to despise each other, leading to horrific transformations and a deadly clash that ultimately ends in grotesque chaos.

Before our meetup, please watch the film, it is available for free through Mubi on Amazon Prime Video (you can get a 7-day free trial if you don't have the service), or you can purchase it on Apple TV and Fandango. It is also still available in Movie Theaters! The Substance is rated R for "strong bloody violent content, gore, graphic nudity, and language," so viewer discretion is advised.

During our gathering, we’ll discuss the film’s exploration of aging, body image, and the psychological toll of living in the shadows of one’s former self. How does The Substance comment on society’s obsession with youth and perfection? Bring your insights and questions to share in a conversation with fellow film lovers and mental health professionals.

We look forward to seeing you there! This event will be online at:

Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/mgt-txie-eme