(may contain spoilers)
Douban rating: 7.5
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Starring: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid
Douban Comments: “This is a film that embodies radicalism and subversion – a visceral, body-centric work that is likely to be one of the most disruptive creations of the next few years. At its core, it is unmistakably an anti-exploitation film. It emphasizes the necessity of heightened sensory awareness, using close-up shots and auditory details to exaggerate the seemingly clichéd, vulgar, and absurd imagery captured by digital media (such as sexualized depictions of women). These are paired with the glossy, ad-like visuals, all of which culminate in an astonishing overturning in the final scene.
The visceral horror – symbolized through the grotesque transformation of the body – functions as a symptom of deeper societal issues. By weaving together subgenres like splatter films, cult cinema, revenge narratives, and extreme films, it redefines and critiques both genre conventions and thematic principles. The film’s sharp critique and satirical spirit are unmistakable.
Through the portrayal of a socialized body, it starkly reminds viewers of the cost of conforming to societal standards and what the protagonist is losing in the process. The spotlight’s demand for a single, rigid ’ideal‘ of beauty is exposed as deeply pathological.
In the broader context of genre history, this film pushes boundaries further than ever before. For our time, the new master of body horror and feminist narratives will not be Julia Ducournau – it can only be Coralie Fargeat.”
“Four and a half stars. From the very beginning, the film bombards the audience with exaggerated, greasy close-ups, unabashedly exposing Hollywood’s misogyny and male gaze to the point of discomfort. Yet director Coralie Fargeat is crystal clear about her creative intent. She chooses to amplify society’s obsessive worship of youth and beauty through the wild and bloody extremes of a B-movie aesthetic, ultimately revealing that those absurd behaviors are, in fact, an authentic reflection of human greed.
The film’s visceral audiovisual language delivers a punch, creating a symbolic loop between the opening and closing scenes that achieves a sharply cohesive satirical effect. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley deliver bold, boundary-pushing performances, brimming with tension and commitment.”
“I thought I’d be shouting “masterpiece” by the end, but instead, I found myself crying during the latter half. This script feels like a cult-movie version of Demi Moore’s life after her divorce over a decade ago. The Internet once endlessly speculated about whether she’d had botched plastic surgery or lost her star power, sighing over Ghost and questioning Striptease. But we forgot how, as a Hollywood icon, she fought hard against gender pay inequality, and how the industry deliberately snubbed her for awards while subjecting her to immense public scrutiny.
For me, the film struck the perfect balance of audacity. The most horrifying scene wasn’t the gore but the gradually widening shot of Sue extracting stabilizing fluid – a stark metaphor for humanity being compressed until it disappears, swallowed by endless darkness and greed. It captured everything I imagine materialism embodies, especially in the final half-hour, which felt like a Carrie meets High Society ‘pro max’ edition.
However, the ending played it a bit safe. The body horror elements were strikingly anti-male-gaze but didn’t push far enough. It should’ve gone all-in.”
