The Substance

When: Friday 3rd October 2025 – 8pm till 9pm

Hosted by: WMIP Analytic Film Group

We meet regularly online (once every couple of months) and bring analytic thinking to discussions on a range of films. Group members suggest film and at the end of each session we draw the title for our next session. Films are introduced by the proposer who invites the group members into an exploration from a psychological perspective

This film is available to watch on Sky store £5.99, Apple TV £5.49, Amazon Prime Video free with subscription or £5.99, MUBI free with 7day free trial, Rakuten TV £3.49.

The Substance is a satirical body-horror underpinned by feminist critique. The film examines the obsession with female beauty and youth, the invisibility of ageing women, and the voracious consumption of women’s bodies in Hollywood’s star system.

From a psychoanalytic perspective the film explores amongst other territories that of the doppelganger where psychic splits are manifest in two women for one body. Well-worn misogyny lays open the door to the destructive impact of projected and internalised body hatred.

THE SUBSTANCE

“Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? Younger. More beautiful. More perfect. One single injection unlocks your DNA, starting a new cellular division that will release another version of yourself. This is the substance. You are the matrix. Everything comes from you. Everything is you. This is simply a better version of yourself. You just have to share. One week for one. And one week for the other. A perfect balance of seven days each. The one and only thing not to forget: You are one. You can’t escape from yourself.” (The Substance)

‘Reviews are divided between effusive praise – The Substance as deranged, brilliantly disgusting feminist critique – and exhaustion with its punishing, hyper-stylized portrayal of a woman reduced to maddening obsession.’ (Guardian Sept 2024)

Starring: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid

Booking is required

Please email laurachaisty19@gmail.com to register your details by Friday 3rd October

Joining instructions will be sent out just after 5pm on the day.

For up to date information about the film group, sign up, or to be included on the WhatsApp group, email Laura Chaisty or text on 07588777163.

This is a FREE event open to WMIP members only

For more information about joining us, please visit https://wmip.org/join-us/

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