The Substance: When Special Effects Are More Terrifying Than the Plot
In the world of cinema, few movies manage to combine existential drama with grotesque mutations like The Substance. This film shows us that the pursuit of eternal youth can end badly... very badly, especially when it involves sticky prosthetics and suits that seem straight out of a nightmare. 🎬
"If Frankenstein had worked in Hollywood, this would be his résumé"
The Dream Team of the Grotesque
To create these visual nightmares, the team brought together the best of both worlds:
- POP FX: Experts in making actors look unrecognizable (and a bit vomitous)
- Clear Angle Studios: The kings of 3D scanning (like Tinder photos, but more terrifying)
- CGEV: Wizards who blend practical and digital effects without the glue showing
Monstro: The Suit That Deserves Its Own Therapy
The undisputed star of the effects is the suit nicknamed "Monstro", which:
- Was hand-built like in the old days (but with better technology)
- Was 3D scanned for its digital moments (like an influencer making content)
- Combines the worst of the physical and digital (in a good way)
- Probably gave nightmares to the set cleaning crew
This suit is so impressive that it makes you wonder: who suffered more, the actor who wore it or the team that designed it? 🤔
Effects That Turn Your Stomach (Literally)
The behind-the-scenes include:
- Prosthetics that look too real (for those who miss biology class)
- Fake blood in industrial quantities (the wet dream of any gothic teenager)
- Tissues that stretch in unnatural ways (perfect for losing your appetite)
All this coordinated by Chervin Shafaghi, who probably has the strangest job in Hollywood: making the repulsive look technically impeccable. The result is a movie that makes you ask "how did they do that?" while trying not to look through your fingers. 😅