This annum has witnessed a plethora of motion pictures and television programs focused on Hollywood veterans beyond 40: Anne Hathaway exuding brilliance as she develops feelings for Nicholas Galitzine in The Idea of You; Angelina Jolie basked in mystical golden hues throughout Maria; Cate Blanchett embodying authority and elegance in Disclaimer; and Ruth Negga captivating audiences in Presumed Innocent, to name merely a few.
In numerous instances, if not all, these Oscar-honored artists are afforded the opportunity to shine with allure and sensuality—and why shouldn’t they? Yet, accompanying these dazzling portrayals of middle age, there’s also excitement for a fresh batch of films by three female directors in their 40s that delve into the complexities of aging as a woman—holding up a reflection to society’s unreachable standards of beauty and, occasionally, joyfully dismantling them.
The initial offering is The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, a film that screams loud enough to burst eardrums, gleefully mocking the absurdities of what society expects women to embody and accomplish. It revolves around Demi Moore’s character, Elisabeth Sparkle, an out-of-favor movie star whose laughably sexist employer (Dennis Quaid) concludes she’s surpassed the age for her leading role in an ’80s-themed fitness program. Replacing her with a younger, more attractive counterpart breeds overwhelming insecurity in Elisabeth, propelling her toward “the substance,” a method promising to unleash an improved iteration of herself.