This 3-Year-Old Body Horror Film Outshines The Substance and Will Leave You Speechless

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2024 was an extraordinary year for movies, boasting a diverse range of hits such as “Dune: Part Two” and “Wicked”, alongside understated gems like “Anora” and “Challengers”. What truly set 2024 apart, though, was the abundance of unexpected delights. Among these pleasant surprises, Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance” stood out as the most astounding, garnering an unprecedented five nominations across various categories. This shocking body horror film resonated deeply with a wide array of audiences, from die-hard cinephiles to Academy members.

Although universally admired, a select group of enthusiasts recognize that a superior work in the subgenre emerged from the pioneer of body horror two years ago. Crafting a body horror film or any horror movie, for that matter, inevitably invites comparisons to David Cronenberg. This master of horror has been producing compelling films for close to six decades, and one of his finest works went unnoticed in 2022. While Cronenberg’s “Crimes of the Future” may have lacked media attention upon its release, it could experience a significant resurgence if fans of “The Substance” come across its excellence.

What is Crimes of the Future About?

The film “Crimes of the Future” can be seen as a unique amalgamation, blending elements of science fiction, film noir, and horror within just 107 minutes. This movie not only marked David Cronenberg’s revisit to his original cinematic territory but also his comeback to the silver screen after an eight-year hiatus since the release of “Maps to the Stars”. Known as the pioneer of the body horror genre, Cronenberg momentarily stepped away from the chilling universe he had crafted. During the 2000s and 2010s, his creative energies were primarily directed towards thrillers and modern works such as “Cosmopolis”, “A History of Violence”, and “Eastern Promises”. However, devoted followers always anticipated that he would eventually reclaim his throne as the master of body horror.

David Cronenberg had been absent from crafting a ‘body horror’ movie for quite some time, yet he seamlessly returned to this subgenre without skipping a beat. The film Crimes of the Future, while not receiving critical acclaim or awards, fulfilled its intended purpose perfectly. This movie is indeed frightening, uncomfortable, and repulsive, but it also carries a profound emotional resonance and thought-provoking themes. The movie skillfully blends Cronenberg’s roots in body horror with his modern exploration of the thrilling and intellectual, resulting in a work of absolute mastery.

In a bleak future scenario, humans undergo rapid evolution, leading to the emergence of unique organs. The government categorizes these organs, and the story revolves around Saul Tenser, an adventurous performance artist who experiences this unusual evolution. His innovative medical condition inspires him and his partner Caprice to create a shocking, graphic art form from their organ removals at secret underground shows. However, Saul’s wealth from these performances comes with a heavy price as he struggles against the inevitable pain caused by resisting this new evolutionary process.

Saul assists the government in documenting these transformations, yet he’s also contacted by a faction of “extreme evolution advocates.” They argue that these novel organ growths should be accepted for a superior pseudo-human species. They propose an audacious plan: to conduct a public postmortem examination on a young boy they claim exemplifies the benefits of rapid evolution. The ensuing events are both a physically and mentally demanding struggle, as Saul grapples with his uninvited physiological changes and his role in this bizarre, lawless environment.

Crimes of the Future Has a Deeper Meaning

Although the premise of Crimes of the Future might seem bizarre at first glance, it manages to be surprisingly relatable for all kinds of viewers. Despite the detailed background of this imaginative universe, Cronenberg and his team ensure the film remains straightforward, largely focusing on Saul’s intriguing narrative thread. As with any Cronenberg production, Crimes of the Future is brimming with deep themes, many of which will resonate with fans of his previous works. The movie is so abundant in thematic material that its underlying message can be interpreted in numerous ways. While rebellion, eroticism, and artistic boundaries are the most apparent themes portrayed in the film, the more complex and engaging narratives emerge from Saul’s emotional journey.

Saul Tenser, a character, stands as an opposer to divine will or natural evolutionary progress. This characteristic of his is explored in numerous ways throughout the narrative. Upon examining recent critiques and analyses of “Crimes of the Future“, a multitude of diverse interpretations emerge. Some devout viewers have even suggested that Saul’s struggle against evolution and the pain he endures are the result of disobeying God’s will. Conversely, other fans have posited that the film’s conclusion encourages viewers not to conform but to embrace their authentic selves, leading some to draw parallels with self-acceptance.

As a supporter, I’ve found that the government’s role in the movie “Crimes of the Future” has sparked some intriguing discussions. In fact, some viewers have drawn parallels between the in-world government’s resistance to change and the staunch adherence to traditional American constitutionalism, leading to intense online debates around the film’s release. Regardless of the ‘right’ interpretation, I can confidently say that “Crimes of the Future” is a must-watch, guaranteed to ignite conversations among any group of viewers.

The Substance Fans Will Love Crimes of the Future

It’s obvious that Coralie Fargeat’s film The Substance shares significant thematic similarities with her latest work, Crimes of the Future. Both films delve deeply into the connection between body horror and self-acceptance, a theme that has been subtly addressed in movies like The Fly, but never to this extent. Last year’s hit film marked a unique exploration of this theme, and while fans of The Substance will undoubtedly appreciate Crimes of the Future, it’s worth mentioning that these two films tackle the same subject matter in dramatically different ways.

The main distinction between these two movies is that one explicitly states jokes where subtext would typically be used, while the other prefers to maintain a more subtle approach. This shift towards overt humor started with Emerald Fennell’s film Saltburn, leading some viewers to argue they prefer films without hidden meanings. The Substance capitalized on this trend among fans, taking it to its fullest extent.

Although both films, “Crimes of the Future” and “The Substance“, share a common theme of body horror and self-acceptance, “The Substance” fully explores this idea throughout its entire duration. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference as both films offer unique interpretations of a similar concept. In terms of the storylines connecting these two movies, they share some initial similarities but soon diverge into distinct narratives. Both films gradually lead to gruesome climaxes filled with blood and gore, while also incorporating intriguing and alien science fiction elements. The key difference between these two films lies in their genre by the end of each story. While “The Substance” culminates in a chaotic, bloody finale, “Crimes of the Future” leans more towards film noir and mystery genres as it concludes.

In contrast to how The Substance took everyone by surprise and grabbed all the attention in 2024, Crimes of the Future has been somewhat overlooked as a cult classic. If you were drawn into The Substance‘s deep dive into self-acceptance and intricate identity, I’d encourage you to step out of your comfort zone by experiencing David Cronenberg’s revisit to the body horror genre. Although it certainly has its own thrill, it presents a grittier, more contemplative, and intellectually stimulating option. Fans of Coralie Fargeat should not miss the chance to appreciate the man who originated their beloved genre.

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2025-05-19 04:21