Hi movie lovers, were you shocked by The Substance (2024) with its heart-wrenching body horror, mind-blowing psychological thrills, and social commentary on Hollywood beauty? Starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, this film, a visual feast created by director Coralie Forget, raises serious questions about beauty, age, and identity. When an aging actress named Elizabeth Sparkle uses a mysterious drug to regain her youth, her confrontation with her young clone Sue (Margaret) is a gross, crazy, thought-provoking ride. If you liked this movie, I recommend 5 movies with the same vibe, body horror, psychological drama, and satire on society. Are you in the mood to watch these movies while sitting at Prasads or AMB Cinemas in Hyderabad, munching on popcorn? Well, get ready!
1. Black Swan (2010)
Black Swan is a psychological horror thriller in which Natalie Portman pushes her mental and physical boundaries to play the lead role in the ballet Swan Lake. In the film, Nina (Natalie) destroys herself in the pursuit of perfection and gets caught up in an identity crisis with her rival Lily (Mila Kunis). The conflict between Elizabeth and Sue in The Substance comes to mind, as both show self-destruction, beauty pressure, and psychological breakdowns. Darren Aronofsky’s direction is as rich, intense, and full of flavor as a plate of biryani. The scenes where Nina transforms mentally and physically will remind you of Sue’s birth scene in Substance. The film is available on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Why watch? For those who love psychological horror, sacrifice for beauty, and identity crises, this movie is a rollercoaster ride!
2. The Fly (1986)
David Cronenberg is the king of body horror, and his The Fly is a cult classic. In this movie, starring Jeff Goldblum, a scientist mixes himself with a fly’s DNA in a teleportation experiment and turns into a gross hybrid creature. While Elizabeth physically deteriorates after taking the drug in Substance, Seth Brundle’s body undergoes a gross, emotional transformation here too. Along with body horror, this movie raises ethical questions about science, which connects with the experimental drug theme in Substance. Goosebumps are guaranteed if you watch this movie at a special screening at INOX in Hyderabad! Streamable on MUBI, Amazon Prime.
Why watch? Perfect for those looking for a thrill about gross, emotional body horror, and science ethics.
3. Revenge (2017)
Substance director Coralie Forget’s debut film, Revenge is a bloody, feminist action-thriller. In this film, Jane (Matilda Lutz) is brutally attacked by her boyfriend and his friends and left for dead in the desert. But she survives and becomes an unstoppable killing machine out for revenge. Just like Substance, which featured feminist commentary and graphic violence, Revenge also shows the same intensity and female rage. This film is not only gross, but it will make your heart beat faster if you watch it on PVR Vijayawada! Stream available on MUBI.
Why watch? A kick-ass ride for those who love feminist themes, graphic violence, and female empowerment.
4. Under the Skin (2013)
Directed by Jonathan Glazer, Under the Skin is a sci-fi horror thriller starring Scarlett Johansson as an alien who takes on human form in Scotland and traps men in a surreal lair. The film connects with Substance about identity, the body, and the predatory nature of beauty. The scenes where Scarlett’s character tries to understand humanity are reminiscent of the identity conflict between Elizabeth and Sue in Substance. The visuals of the film are as rich, deep, and intense as a Hyderabadi dum biryani. Stream on Amazon Prime, MUBI.
Why watch? Best for those looking for a serious, unsettling horror and deep thinking about identity.
5. Death Becomes Her (1992)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Death Becomes Her is a black comedy horror film starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn as rivals who drink a potion that grants them eternal youth and face unexpected side effects. The film's quest for youth, body horror and satire on Hollywood beauty standards are a perfect match for this film. The film is more comedy than gross, but like Elizabeth and Sue, the rivalry and body deterioration are the highlight here. If you watch it with friends at INOX in Vizag, laughing reactions are guaranteed! Available on Disney+ and Amazon Prime.
Why should you watch it? A fun treat for those who like body horror, black comedy, and satire about youth.
Conclusion: A cinematic ride with body horror, psychological thrills
Did The Substance give you a gross, thought-provoking, visual ride? These five films—Black Swan, The Fly, Revenge, Under the Skin, Death Becomes Her—offer the same body horror, psychological depth, and satire on society. When you watch these films on the IMAX screen at GVK One in Hyderabad, the visuals will transport you to another world. All of these films can be streamed on Netflix, MUBI, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, so plan a horror marathon this weekend.