The Substance starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley has fast become the most talked-about horror of the year, with audiences divided on whether it’s a feminist masterpiece, or a ‘vile and disgusting’ exemplar of the male gaze. We get into how the film taps into our own fears around ageing and how Demi’s role was influenced by career-long toxic media scrutiny. Also this week, we deep-dive into the horrific allegations and rumours that have come to light since Diddy’s arrest, from his ‘freak offs’ and disturbing relationship with a young Justin Bieber, to the music mogul’s careful curation of a ‘legit’ celebrity persona. Is all of Hollywood as dark and sinister a place as it seems? As part of our conversation about male sexual assault, we also discuss the No1 show on Netflix right now, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Huge thanks to our sponsor Yonder, the incredible lifestyle credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use, from points to use towards your bill at the trendiest restaurants and bars in the UK, to world-wide travel insurance and no FX fees for your hols. Find out more at yonder.com/straightupYonder membership is subject to eligibility and you’ll need to be over 18 and a UK resident to apply. If you sign up, only borrow what you can afford to pay back. The representative rate is 66.7% APR variable. Membership fees and other T&Cs may apply. We're also thrilled to be partnered with brand new quarterly newspaper The Pass, the only publication bold enough to ignore food influencer hype and give us properly honest London restaurant reviews. ⁠Subscribe here⁠ to receive the new issue and find out what to cross off, and put on, your list.DM us your thoughts on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ and as ever please, please, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and a rating on Spotify, lysm!Reccs/ Culture discussed The Substance (in cinemas) I’m a 50-something woman and nothing about Demi Moore’s anti-ageing body horror rings true, Telegraph ‘We can be violent to ourselves. Brutal’: Demi Moore on body image, reinvention and her most shocking role yet, Guardian Real Ageing is scarier than what’s going on in The Substance, The Cut Helter Skelter by Ninagawa Mika (2012) Once More From The Top by Emily Layden Blink Twice (2024), Apple TV I Survived Diddy’s White Party, YouTube Yummy, Justin Bieber (YouTube) The staggering fall of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs – from music mogul to criminal charges, Guardian The Powerful Celebs Who Acted as Diddy’s Human Shield, Daily Beast Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Netflix The Wild, True Tale Behind Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Vanity Fair Behind every Al-Fayed and Diddy there is a small army of enablers, Guardian Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related