THE Substance is intense. It’s fierce. It’s funny. It’s frightening. It’s only the second feature film from Coralie Fargeat, the audacious French director, writer and editor of 2017 rape avenge thriller Revenge. Already, she is making quite the name for herself.

The film stars a radiant Demi Moore, in what is arguably her best performance in decades. It’s amazing what a juicy role can do for an actor. Sure enough, there’s ample for the Ghost and G. I. Jane star to get her teeth into here.

Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a once eminent celebrity who fears the adage of her name is fading fast with the coming of her fifth decade. Hollywood has neither time nor gratitude for women who have the audacity to age gracefully. That Moore is no less beautiful now than thirty years ago is very much the point, just as was the case in casting Margot Robbie as last year’s generic Barbie.

Confirmation of her anxieties comes without mercy, on her fiftieth birthday, when Elizabeth is fired as the host of popular TV acrobatics show. Her freshly lined face is literally torn from billboards around her.

It is at this low point in her life that Elizabeth discovers ‘the substance,’ a curious serum slyly presented to her from the blank market. An injection of the serum allows the user to birth a sequel version of themselves, more perfect and idealised than the original. The two live as separate entities, though cerebrally connected, but must switch bodies every seven days.

Moore’s revitalised self - for, of course, Elizabeth takes the bait - takes the form of Sue, who is played by rising star Margaret Qualley, daughter of Andie MacDowell.

This would not be a cautionary tale were early successes not rapidly to spiral into catastrophic consequences. What starts with an unhealthily aged finger soon delves into imagery that will leave you binding behind your own.

The satirical inspiration of the film is easily traced back to origin. There are more used Botox needles in Hollywood than there are stars on its iconic walk of fame. Even now, Ozempic burns through the red carpet, the latest fad in a long running crisis of self worth.

To this end, The Substance is extreme but disconcertingly believable. Moore and Qualley electrify the screen in a film you’ll not quickly forget.