Body horror The Substance may have been a hit, winning an Oscar in 2024, but legendary genre director John Carpenter doesn't count himself among its many fans.
Recently, during a panel at the FAN EXPO in Philadelphia, the Halloween host asked an attendee what they thought of The Substance. “I loved it, I LOVED it,” they responded enthusiastically, before Carpenter clapped back, “Well, no.”
Written and directed by French director Coralie Farjat, Substance follows Elizabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), the host of a popular aerobics show, who is fired on her birthday. It turns out the chain is trying to attract a less mature audience, and a young man who just turned 50 doesn't fit the new direction the brand is taking. Dejected, Elizabeth doesn't think twice when a mysterious scientist approaches her and proposes their lab's latest experiment: a chemical that is said to return the user to their “young, beautiful and perfect” state. But she soon learns that the unpleasant deal is fraught with dire consequences.
At the 2025 Oscars, she was nominated in five categories, including Best Actress and Best Picture. He ended up winning the award for Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyle.
As if Carpenter publicly criticizing this wasn't awkward enough, Fargit actually mentioned his name in the lead-up to The Substance's release, telling Australian edition of HEAVY that she was greatly influenced by the Creature. In another interview with Backshe said, “There's David Cronenberg, there's John Carpenter… When I write, I welcome the tributes I want to pay to those directors I love and admire.”
To find out more, check out our selection best shows on Netflix or our review of the most exciting upcoming horror movies We're heading on our way.
