No, not that one. A female-directed body horror satire from a French filmmaker, Species (Sanguine, in its native language) is sure to be bandied about as the next Substance. And for good reason – featuring effects from Oscar-winning designer Pierre-Olivier Persin, it aims to do for overworked zoomers what The Substance did for ageing actresses. Hold on to your gag reflexes, it’s about to get messy.
The world of Margot Louiseau (Mara Taquin) couldn’t be any further away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. She’s a junior doctor at a busy Emergency Room, working under a volatile, demanding boss. The stress triggers a unique affliction in Louiseau, who begins losing blood from places that shouldn’t really be bleeding. You’d think she’d be ideally placed to get herself treated, but she’s keen not to lose face… nor the prestigious internship. As she attempts to balance the pressures of work with hiding her worsening symptoms, Louiseau begins to realise that what ails her might be a far wider-reaching issue than she’d first thought.
Directed by Marion Le Corroller, Species is a unique version of the body horror film. Featuring intense sequences of bodily mutation and mutilation, it’s sure to appeal to fans seeking their next fix of extreme gore, which pervade in multitudes. First, there’s the expected (and yet entirely unexpected) scenes of gloopy, mucus-spattered metamorphosis. Then there’s the more realistic surgical sequences which go hand in hand with its hospital setting. No mere rehash of The Substance, it brings its own distinct flavour of yuck to the (operating) table.
The more fantastical elements are grounded by Taquin, in a jittery lead performance which sent this reviewer’s own blood pressure skyrocketing through the roof. It’s a situation which will be recognisable to anyone who’s worked under a boss who brags about not taking lunch breaks, or found themselves on an extreme time crunch surrounded by impatient pedestrians and co-workers. The story by Le Coroller and co-writer Thomas Pujol isn’t exactly subtle, but its satire cuts to the bone regardless.
Species is the body horror film at its sharpest. Serving up blood-pounding anxiety along with bags of gore, it’s a genre film with style and substance.
SPECIES premiered at Tubi FrightFest on August 31, 2026.
