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The Substance is full of symbolism and metaphors. It is a movie surrounded by conversation, but perhaps the most fitting way to view it is as a body horror feminist fairy tale. It is filled with patent references to Disney princesses, but subverts the themes of romance and fiction, instead showing the bleak reality of “happily ever after.” Princesses are some of the earliest role models for young girls, and they are recognizable for their youth and beauty. The Substance acts as a reclamation of femininity and the body. It is unfiltered in its portrayal of womanhood whilst also showing the brutal dangers of seeking perfection. However, The Substance visually creates its own hyper-reality, living in its own universe that is a glossy, glamorized version of our own. The distortion of reality is what leaves The Substance so open to interpretation and allows it to be viewed as a modern-day fairy tale.
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