“The Substance” – The Intricate Process Behind the Haunting Creature Design

by Sylvia February 1, 2025

In the realm of horror movies and psychological thrillers, every creature design carries a significant narrative, and Coralie Fargeat’s Oscar-nominated film, The Substance, is no exception. The film’s makeup lead recently delved into the intricate process behind creating Monstro Elisasue, the haunting and deeply symbolic figure at the film’s core. Fargeat’s vision for the character emphasized tragedy over pure horror, with the repeated line, “It’s me!” portraying the character’s poignant nature. The makeup team successfully achieved the desired effect, representing a blend of two women and evoking a sense of sadness and euphoria. The careful attention to detail and patience paid off, with the film’s nominations and recognition in the 2025 Academy Awards, breaking the tradition of the horror genre being overlooked. The Substance is now available to watch on Mubi, showcasing Fargeat’s immersive and hands-on approach to filmmaking.

“The Substance” – The Intricate Process Behind the Haunting Creature Design

– The makeup lead for The Substance, Coralie Fargeat’s Oscar-nominated film, reveals the intricate process behind designing the haunting and symbolic creature, Monstro Elisasue.
– Fargeat emphasized the tragic nature of the character over pure horror, wanting to portray Monstro as a tragic figure rather than a monster that kills people.
– The team successfully created a mashup of two women that evokes sadness and eeriness, effectively conveying the film’s themes of identity, transformation, and acceptance.

In the realm of the best horror movies and psychological thrillers, each creature design holds its own narrative significance. This is particularly true for Coralie Fargeat’s Oscar-nominated film, “The Substance.” Recently, the film’s makeup lead shed light on the intricate process behind creating Monstro Elisasue, the haunting and symbolically rich figure at the film’s core. Pierre Olivier Persin, the prosthetics boss, disclosed that Fargeat had two words she consistently emphasized during the creature’s design process, and their importance is understandable.

According to Persin, the lead makeup artist on the project, Fargeat was resolute about achieving a specific vision that prioritized the character’s tragic nature over sheer horror. Fargeat repeatedly mentioned a line from the movie spoken by Monstro: “It’s me!” This sentiment greatly mattered to her and the entire team. Rather than portraying a monster solely focused on killing, Monstro is depicted as a tragic character. In hindsight, this character represents the happiest moments of Elisabeth’s life, both mentally and physically. However, Fargeat had a strong desire for the character to embody an elephant woman.

The team executed their task brilliantly. The amalgamation of the two women’s features in Monstro’s appearance vividly resembles the result of a blender mishap and invokes an unsettling atmosphere reminiscent of the “Elephant Man.” The incredible prosthetic work effectively communicates a sense of sorrow and even euphoria during the film’s final moments.

This meticulous approach extended beyond the body; the design of Monstro’s head posed one of the most significant challenges. The team struggled to strike the perfect balance between horror and tragedy. Persin recounted how Fargeat refused to proceed with the production until she was completely confident in the head’s design. After witnessing one of the final mark-ups, she enthusiastically confirmed, “Yeah! We’ve got her!”

Fargeat’s patience and attention to detail, evident throughout the process, transformed Monstro Elisasue from a mere horror villain into a fully fleshed-out character with depth and emotional weight. The final design skillfully captures an unsettling equilibrium, presenting a figure that is simultaneously terrifying and profoundly mournful. It visually represents the film’s themes of identity, transformation, and acceptance.