The Substance

Original characters; no established or historical figures swapped.

Male characters (the studio exec Harvey) are written as crude and misogynistic, but they function as satirical antagonists rather than a 'men are the problem' thesis; the film targets the beauty industry, not men as a class.

• The lecherous, body-obsessed producer Harvey embodies the industry's contempt for aging women
• The female leads' suffering is self-inflicted via the substance, not caused by male heroes being demoted

No notable LGBTQ+, trans, or non-binary characters or themes.

Casting fits a contemporary Hollywood satire setting; no diversity inserted against lore.

The film carries a clear feminist message about ageism and the impossible beauty standards imposed on women, but it's delivered through grotesque body-horror allegory rather than direct sermonizing.

• The 'better version of yourself' marketing mocks beauty-industry promises
• Themes of self-loathing and society's discarding of older women run throughout

Critiques a male-dominated, objectifying entertainment industry, but its target is the beauty-standard machine more than masculinity itself.

• The grotesque caricature of male executives ogling and discarding women

Original screenplay with no source material.