Critics at Large | The New Yorker Episode: “The Substance” and the New Horror of the Modified Body Release Date: October 3, 2024

Hosted by Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz, this episode delves into the evolving landscape of body horror in contemporary cinema, exploring how modern films reflect and critique societal obsessions with body modification and self-image.

Introduction to Body Horror

The episode begins with the hosts immersing themselves in the subgenre of horror known as body horror. Vincent Cunningham initiates the discussion by questioning the essence of body horror compared to other horror forms.

Vincent Cunningham [00:11]: "How would you sort of taxonomize and, like, just describe what body horror is as opposed to other forms of horror?"

Alexandra Schwartz defines body horror by emphasizing its focus on the grotesque and intimate transformations of the human body.

Alex Schwartz [00:50]: "Body horror is characterized by really grotesque, intimate things being done to bodies on screen... there are a variety of ways to do really grotesque and intimate to bodies on screen."

Noemi Fry adds examples from classic films to illustrate the subgenre's hallmarks, such as the unsettling imagery in A Clockwork Orange.

Noemi Fry [01:05]: "Like many have been explored to truly gruesome degrees... the sense of the body being pushed to an unnatural and inhuman extreme."

Exploring “The Substance”

The conversation shifts to the film “The Substance”, a recent release starring Demi Moore. Vincent Cunningham provides an overview of the movie, highlighting its controversial nature and thematic significance.

Vincent Cunningham [02:20]: "This is the substance. Spoiler alert. Things do not go how she wants it to go. It is not good."

Alexandra Schwartz summarizes the plot, detailing how the protagonist, Elizabeth Sparkle, engages with a transformative substance that splits her into her younger self and a more perfected version.

Alex Schwartz [09:19]: "Elizabeth is put out to pasture. She goes home to her massive apartment and is then turned onto this thing called the substance, which turns out to be an injectable where when you inject it, you are split into two."

Reactions and Analysis of “The Substance”

The hosts share their visceral reactions to the film, discussing its effectiveness in portraying body horror and its underlying themes.

Vincent Cunningham [08:22]: "I left the theater and went to the bathroom... I was shocked by the emotional impact it had on me."

Noemi Fry critiques the film's approach, questioning whether it serves as a meaningful critique or merely employs shock value.

Noemi Fry [14:37]: "I did think that it used a pretty, maybe pretty simple political message just to be about this nastiness."

Alexandra Schwartz references the director's artistic statement, emphasizing the personal fears and societal pressures surrounding aging and body image that the film addresses.

Alex Schwartz [18:54]: "She gave an artistic statement... about making a deal with the devil... paying the hell."

The discussion touches on the film’s portrayal of the male gaze and the spectacle of female aging.

Noemi Fry [19:37]: "The camera is kind of trying to make the viewer complicit in that, in this phenomenon."

Discussion of “A Different Man”

Following “The Substance,” the hosts examine another recent film, “A Different Man”, which explores themes of physical transformation and identity through the lens of a man undergoing experimental treatment for a facial disfigurement.

Vincent Cunningham [23:57]: "Edward... is trying to work as an actor, but he also notices that people... have these... visceral reactions to the way he looks."

Alexandra Schwartz provides a detailed synopsis, highlighting the protagonist’s transformation and the ensuing psychological turmoil.

Alex Schwartz [25:59]: "He undergoes an experimental medical treatment... and ends up meeting someone who actually has his condition, Oswald, played by Adam Pearson."

Societal Trends in Body Modification

The conversation broadens to address real-world trends in body modification, such as cosmetic surgery, weight loss drugs like Ozempic, and the pervasive influence of social media on body image.

Alex Schwartz [41:17]: "After the first year of COVID there was a 40% increase in facial plastic surgery compared to the previous year."

Noemi Fry reflects on the societal pressures that drive individuals towards extreme body modifications in the pursuit of standardized beauty.

Noemi Fry [42:23]: "It all serves to aid in a kind of survival of the fittest type competition... what’s wrong with you?"

The hosts discuss how these trends contribute to a homogenized aesthetic, diminishing individuality in favor of a factory-set standard of beauty.

Vincent Cunningham [46:09]: "It is about standards... What happens when what we used to call beauty norms and beauty standards is almost like a metaphor."

Conclusion: The Current State of Body Horror

In their final analysis, the hosts conclude that the current wave of body horror films serves as a mirror to society’s relentless pursuit of physical perfection and the internal conflicts it engenders. They ponder the broader implications of these narratives on our understanding of self-acceptance and the inherent unpredictability of the human body.

Alex Schwartz [48:41]: "We are embodied. It is a struggle. It is beautiful. It’s something to wrestle with forever."

Noemi Fry [49:56]: "It’s a disaster when you age, because it’s all you have, you know?"

The episode wraps up with acknowledgments of the production team and a teaser for the next week’s topic, ensuring listeners remain engaged and anticipating future discussions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Vincent Cunningham [00:11]: "How would you sort of taxonomize and, like, just describe what body horror is as opposed to other forms of horror?"
• Alex Schwartz [09:19]: "Elizabeth is put out to pasture... split into two."
• Noemi Fry [14:37]: "I did think that it used a pretty, maybe pretty simple political message just to be about this nastiness."
• Alex Schwartz [18:54]: "She gave an artistic statement... about making a deal with the devil... paying the hell."
• Vincent Cunningham [23:57]: "Edward... is trying to work as an actor..."
• Alex Schwartz [41:17]: "After the first year of COVID there was a 40% increase in facial plastic surgery compared to the previous year."
• Noemi Fry [42:23]: "It all serves to aid in a kind of survival of the fittest type competition... what’s wrong with you?"
• Alex Schwartz [48:41]: "We are embodied. It is a struggle. It is beautiful. It’s something to wrestle with forever."
• Noemi Fry [49:56]: "It’s a disaster when you age, because it’s all you have, you know?"

By providing a thorough exploration of both cinematic works and their real-world parallels, the hosts offer listeners a nuanced understanding of the contemporary body horror landscape and its reflection of societal anxieties surrounding self-image and bodily autonomy.