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Kelaru & Fulton rating: ★★★★★
Runtime: 2hrs 21 mins
This film stands in a class of its own. It manages to be a sharp critique while simultaneously entertaining and deeply disturbing. Officially labeled as a body horror, it’s hard to categorise it as just that.
The story revolves around Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a fading celebrity who is cast out of the industry the moment she turns 50. Desperate to remain relevant, she takes a mysterious substance that promises to transform her into a younger, better version of herself—for 7 days at a time: 7 days as her youthful self, and 7 days as her normal self.
When the younger version, Sue (Margaret Qualley), starts to break the rules, the consequences spiral into something dire and irreversible.
What’s fascinating is that although Sue and Elizabeth are the same person, we can only describe them as if they’re two separate characters. The substance’s mysterious supplier repeatedly reminds Elizabeth (and us) that they are the same individual. This plays into the film's subtle exploration of the duality of human nature, touching on our vulnerabilities and susceptibility to addiction—in this case, addiction to beauty and adoration.
Elizabeth’s plight highlights the brutal beauty standards of society. She’s forced into a situation where her youth and looks determine her value and acceptance. Once she sees her younger self, she becomes unable to accept her real appearance, hiding away for 7 days at a time, ashamed of the body she once considered normal. This is a sharp critique of modern societal norms, where social media shapes beauty standards from an early age, and those who don’t conform are left isolated.
It’s easy to associate the advertising banner of Sue (Elizabeth’s younger self) outside her flat with platforms like Instagram or Facebook. Studies have shown how social media drives young teens into depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts at unprecedented rates.
So, why does the film feel like two different movies? Because the last 40 minutes are complete madness. The body horror element cranks up to the max, to the point where it’s nearly unbearable to watch. The first hour and a half provides a nuanced and intelligent critique of today’s society, but the final act descends into a grotesque spectacle—an onslaught of gore and nauseating imagery that feels like a punishment. And it’s a punishment we deserve, as the film makes clear. We are complicit in perpetuating these harmful beauty standards. We allow our children to be consumed by social media. We accept the objectification of both women and men, doing little to protect future generations. The film’s brutal conclusion feels like a visual reckoning, a deserved reckoning for the societal sins we've allowed to fester.
Had the first part of the film lacked depth, it could easily have been dismissed as a straight-to-DVD release. But instead, it landed in cinemas with a bang and a slap to the delight of many and disgust of some.
Despite its grotesque finale, this satirical fairytale deserves to be celebrated for its boldness, pushing boundaries with style and confidence.