I liked the variety, so no problem with the ending.

I would have enjoyed the movie much more with a completely different ending. It was very interesting and thought provoking for most of the film, and then it turned into gore, seemingly just for shock value. The production company must have had a surplus of fake blood that was going to expire or something.

I agree that that the ending was too Grand Guignol for what began as a thoughtful meditation on ageism in contemporary Western society (although I found that trope a bit dated as TV and print media has begun to embrace senior models and spokespeople). Moore did a commendable job with the material, but I suspect her Oscar nomination was a nod to her long and enduring career.

I think films should change-up their genre in the final act the way The Substance did.

I'd like a straight drama to become a comedy in the final act, or an action movie in the final act.
And I'd like a romantic comedy to become a sci-fi in the final act, I think its a trend that will be viewed very favorably.

And that is the way real life is anyway, you have many weeks or months of low-key drama, and then suddenly a violent act will occur.
Or you have people in your family being very serious for many days and suddenly they'll be in an uncharacteristically comedic mood one day.

Hollywood has been predictable for far too long, so a new trend in film-making is welcome.

I hope you’re joking. If I go to watch a rom-com, it’s because I’m not interested in sci fi. I’m not interested in watching a romantic drama that turns into a slasher flick. I don’t think anyone who goes into see an action adventure flick will be happy with it turning into a musical at the end.

My thoughts exactly. The first 2/3rds of this movie were a 10, but the last act was a 1. When Elizabeth is an aged out freak, covering herself up in blankets to hobble down the street, I felt the film took a very dark, ugly and stupid path that did not need to be explored.

Here's my ending for the movie: Sue injects herself with the needle and becomes monster-elisa-sue. She sees herself in the mirror, realizes if she keeps chasing perfection, this is what she gets. She breaks the big window in her apartment, jumps out and ends her suffering. Roll credits.

As it is, the ending we got was over the top gory, gross and unflinchingly bleak. There was no message to it except "life sucks and then you die".

A romantic comedy with a horror ending is the best combination because I hate happy endings and that's why I don't ever watch romantic comedies.
And horror movies are often a bit repetitive, so they can do with another genre mixed into the story, I like that idea.

I liked the ending because it was visually stunning and because Elizabeth displayed the polar opposite of vanity, and was unashamed to show the world her ugliest side (physically), especially to the beauty industry... and that mirrored Demi Moore courageously showing her physical imperfections in this role. Nobody is going to view this career sex-symbol the same way ever again.

So movies should cater to YOU specifically? Not broader audiences in general? Oh, okay.