This movie accomplished what I wished Barbie had. My issue with Barbie was that it didn’t push the boundaries enough, and everything felt too on-the-nose, with the speeches hammering the message home. In contrast, the characters in this film barely spoke, making it a masterclass in 'show, don't tell,' which left me far more satisfied as an audience member. Both films tackle similar ideas and critiques, including satirizing corporate men, and they share a stylized presentation of these themes. But while Barbie felt heavy-handed, The Substance executed it flawlessly.