With a number of horror movies under his own belt,Guillermo del Torois sharing his rave thoughts on a recent body horror hit. Regarded as one of the most revered filmmakers in modern cinema,del Toro is known for his abilityto weave fantastical and frightening tales with emotional resonance. As a two-time Academy Award winner forThe Shape of Water(2017), his unique vision has been seen in everything fromPan’s LabyrinthtoCrimson PeakandNightmare Alley,often exploring themes of transformation, loss, and otherworldly beauty, earning him a reputation as a master of genre storytelling.
Del Toro’s also known for his advocacy of other storytellers, which extends to his efforts in championing women filmmakers, particularly in the horror and fantasy genres. Del Torohas frequently emphasized the value of female perspectives in reinventing narrativesthat traditionally prioritize male voices. Through projects likeThe Babadookdirector Jennifer Kent’sepisode inCabinet of Curiosities, he has created platforms for women filmmakers to explore their creative visions. Del Toro’s belief in fostering diverse voices has made him a vital figure in expanding the boundaries of genre cinema.
Guillermo Del Toro Absolutely Loves The Substance
He’s Also Praised Writer/Director Coralie Fargeat’s Impact On Genre Filmmaking
Guillermo del Toro is particularly turning his praise to Demi Moore’s new body horror film,The Substance. Moore leads the cast of the movie as Elisabeth Sparkle, the renowned star of an aerobics show who gets fired on her 50th birthday, leading to her obsession with a substance that promises to turn her into an enhanced, younger version of herself. Having grossed over $56 million at the box office and holding a 90% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes,The Substancehas been hailedas one of the best horror movies of 2024.
During a recent Q&A hosted byMUBI, del Toro sat down with director Coralie Fargeat and described her film as “poignant, moving, and tragic.” He also drew comparisons to the cult classicDeath Becomes Her, but emphasized thatThe Substancetakesa much darker and more emotional approach to similar themes of transformation and identity:
Your two movies [The Substance and 2017’s Revenge], for me, are expulsions. They’re literally expulsions of something that seems to me is very personal to you. It’s like a fairy tale that goes into the dark. When you think about a tale like this that is tackled by a man — it’s not saying it’s good or worse — but you can clearly see the point of view. Death Becomes Her, the characters are semi-ridiculous, where here, they are poignant and moving and tragic.
Noting the distinct perspective Fargeat brought toThe Substance, del Toro emphasized how its exploration of transformation and identity is rooted in a feminine point of view. He noted that the film looks deeply into themes of empowerment and autonomy, creating a profoundly affecting experience that elevates the moviebeyond conventional body horror into something both deeply personal and universally resonant, especially for female audiences, and that Fargeat’s work is part of a meaningful rise in female genre storytelling. Check out the rest of del Toro’s comments in the quote and video below:
I produced [The Babadook director] Jennifer Kent [with Cabinet of Curiosities]. I see the difference in the way [female filmmakers] are perceived. I remember having a talk with one of the main members of her crew, and they were saying, “She’s really difficult about this and about that.” I said, “If you were talking about a male director, you would say he has a vision. You would be saying, ‘Oh, he has a very clear idea of what he wants.’” In Mexico and in France, the most interesting genre filmmakers are female filmmakers right now, and they are not “well-behaved”.
Our Take On Del Toro’s Endorsement Of The Substance
Guillermo del Toro’s endorsement ofThe Substanceis a significant nod to its quality and impact, bringing attention to a film that not only pushes the boundaries of body horror, but also highlights the importance of female voices in genre storytelling. With Moore’s performance and Fargeat’s vision earning acclaim, the movie demonstrates the power of elevating horror through a nuanced perspective. By supporting films like this, del Toro continues to lead by example, showing how established creators can amplify diverse voices. His involvementencourages audiences to embrace stories that challenge conventions, ensuring that genre cinema remains vibrant and ever-evolving.
The Substance
Cast
Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading celebrity, turns to a mysterious drug that promises to restore her youth by creating a younger, more beautiful version of herself. But splitting time between her original and new body leads to horrifying consequences as her alternate self, Sue, begins to unravel her life in a disturbing body-horror descent.
