A minute long, no spoilers, bags of intrigue, and vibe-heavy — now that’s how you make a trailer, people! “Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? Younger, more beautiful, more perfect?” purrs Dennis Quaid at the start of the teaser over shots of a mascara-streaked Demi Moore staring in the mirror. Cue enigmatic glimpses of Margaret Qualley in 80s workout video garb, a toxic-looking serum named ‘Activator’, and startling images of crashing cars, smashing tables, a blood-spattered Qualley, and Quaid lecherously declaring “Pretty girls should always smile!” It’s intense, cryptic, incredibly provocative stuff set to some Challengers worthy thumping bass — but what could it all mean?
Here’s the official synopsis: “Moore’s Elisabeth Sparkle is a former A-lister past her prime who is suddenly fired from her fitness TV show by repellent studio head Harvey (Dennis Quaid). She is then drawn to the opportunity presented by a mysterious new drug, The Substance. All it takes is one injection and she is reborn – temporarily – as the gorgeous, twentysomething Sue (Qualley). The only rule? Time needs to be split: exactly one week in one body, then one week in the other. No exceptions. A perfect balance. What could go wrong?”
What could go wrong indeed. We’ll find out for ourselves when writer-director Fargeat’s latest provocation, The Substance, hits cinemas on 20 September