Brace yourself, Canada, “The Substance” is coming.
The explosive body horror film starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, directed by French heatseeker Coralie Fargeat, has been set to open the Midnight Madness section at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
“Substance” follows Elizabeth Sparkle (Moore), an Oscar winner who commits the high crime of aging in Hollywood. Relegated to a morning fitness show, Sparkle’s world closes in on her when opportunities dry up — until a mysterious stranger offers her the titular substance, a chance at a more perfect version of herself. Sparing any spoilers, Qualley comes into play as the idealized version of Moore. The pair learns that coexisting ain’t easy in Fargeat’s violent fantasia.
Also on the lineup, veteran music video and film director Joseph Kahn will show “Ick,” a tribute to ‘80s creature features starring former TV Superman Brandon Routh and “American Beauty” actor Mena Suvari. “Else,” from Tibault Emin, will also bring a horrifying conceit about a disease that sees infected humans absorbed into their physical surroundings.
Two found-footage projects are on deck: “Dead Mail,” a SXSW player from Joe DeBecker and Kyle McConaghy, which evokes a vintage midwestern aesthetic for a story about a sinister Post Office department; and “It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This,” a meta adventure about a couple who rent a haunted duplex to make a movie that might, well, get them into the Midnight Madness section at TIFF.
Tim Robinson (“I Think You Should Leave”), Kate Mara and Paul Rudd will usher in the directorial debut of Andrew DeYoung (“PEN15,” “Our Flag Means Death”). Titled “Friendship,” the movie is produced by the team behind the quarantine-era sensation “Barbarian” and a follows a mild-mannered man (Robinson) whose life starts unraveling when a dynamic weatherman (Rudd) moves into the neighborhood.
TIFF kicks off Sept. 5. See the full Midnight Madness program below.
“Dead Mail,” Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy (USA) — Canadian premiere
“Dead Talents Society,” John Hsu (Taiwan) — North American premiere
“Else,” Thibault Emin (France/Belgium) — World premiere
“Escape From the 21st Century,” Yang LI (China) — International premiere
“Friendship,” Andrew DeYoung (USA) — World premiere
“Ick,” Joseph Kahn (USA) — World premiere
“It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This,” Rachel Kempf and Nick Toti (USA) — Canadian premiere
“The Gesuidouz,” Kenichi Ugana (Japan) — World premiere
“The Shadow Strays,” Timo Tjahjanto (Indonesia) — World premiere
“The Substance,” Coralie Fargeat (United Kingdom/USA/France)
Source Agencies
