Wild. Demented. Shocking. Bizarre. Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance is all of the above. It’s difficult to achieve an R rating in Australia nowadays but this movie clears the bar with ease. Along with the blood and full-frontal nudity, there’s a ferocious energy that propels the story forward, and a brand of comedy that leaves one laughing through clenched teeth.

If this slice of “body horror” provided nothing but cheap thrills, or laborious, sadistic pulp, like most David Cronenberg movies, it would be nothing but a passing disturbance for the nerves and stomach. Instead, it’s a film that has a lot to say about ageing, body image, popular entertainment, female insecurity and male desire. It’s brazen, erotic, fast-moving and one of the most memorable features you’ll see this year, so long as you’re 18 years old or over.