Women age, but rarely gracefully in the eyes of our celebrity obsessed public. A wrinkle here, a gray hair there, and we’re relegated to the dustbin in favor of the next new, young flavor. But what if, like death, we could cheat age? That is the premise of this over-the-top new film starring Demi Moore. She plays 50-year-old TV exercise guru Elizabeth Sparkle whose ratings are slipping. Shortly after overhearing super smarmy network executive Harvey (Dennis Quaid) talking about finding her replacement, she is offered a substance that will allow her to be that person and of course she bites! What follows in an extremely gory satirical look at of our addiction to youth.
The substance Elizabeth procures takes several steps, but allows her to be split in two. One of the two is a younger, “better” version of herself. Each version exists for a week and they trade off. Of course, the younger perfect version, Sue (Margaret Qualley), is an immediate success. And even though Elizabeth and she are one, the older woman cannot help but be jealous of her younger self. And the younger one begins to take advantage, which has some devastating consequences for her older self.
There is nothing subtle about the telling of the tale. Dennis Quaid is a scenery-chewing, misogynist asshole. The fawning public are a bunch of idiots. The film’s set up is good, but it is only Demi Moore’s Elizabeth that holds it together. That is until the ending, which is a blood drenched, throw everything at the screen, and take it to the extreme horror show. There were a lot of places that I had my hand over my eyes waiting for it to stop.
If you are into gory horror or David Cronenberg flicks, you’ll probably love this. I’m glad I saw it, but I won’t be rewatching. I will, however, look for director Coralie Fargeat’s next flick. And I expect Moore may get some deserved awards season love for her performance.
If you are like me and get nauseated by handheld or jarring camerawork, be warned and take your dramamine before you go.
In theaters now.