Cannes 2024: Skin and Bones

     A feminist shocking, hallucinogenic satirical body-thriller about the horrors of aging –Substance by Coralie Fargeat. “Substance” is a secret medical program that miraculously falls into the hands of aging movie star Elizabeth (Demi Moore). And, following protocol, she injects herself with a phosphorescent green liquid, passes out on the bathroom floor, the skin literally tears along the spine, and her “ideal” young version emerges from the slimy capsule.

    So we are dealing with a crazy body-horror comedy is the same vein as Julia Ducournau' s Titane and Ruben. Ostlund's Triangle of Sadness (Palme d’Or winners), and movies by Roger Corman and David Cronenberg. The movie is ridiculous and somewhat trashy. Demi Moore (Elisabeth)  enjoys the  horror of her situation.

    In David Cronenberg's Shrouds, a disconsolate widower creates revolutionary technology to keep an eye on the dead in their special graves with digital windows (and it's not a joke), which is an example of Cronenberg' unique brand of dark.

    The movie becomes more and more macabre. Here is the twin sister of the deceased wife, and a secret oncologist who was involved in love affair with his patient for many years, and an international conspiracy, and a detective investigating quasi-murder, and the destruction of graves by secret protest organization. Of course – as in most Cronenberg’ films - a sexual drama about doppelgängers develops. And Vincent Cassel, who plays the main role, becomes a copy of the director himself. This is a movie with a lot of fatalism.