Reality+ (2014)
This short film made 10 years before The Substance is conceptually Coralie Fargeat’s little prequel to that. Thematic similar with a depiction of peoples insecurities coming from beauty standards. In this it is hardly an analogy or theme, but very straight on 1:1 with a science fiction concept with a tech that enables people to add an virtual overlay onto themselves, making them look like models. As in The Substance, the story mostly writes itself and follows a predictable pattern once the rules are established. This could easily have been a Black Mirror episode.
Rating: 3