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All Journal k@ta Kata Kita: Journal of Language, Literature, and Teaching
Jenny Mochtar
Petra Christian University
Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

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The Horror of the “Better You”: Beauty Culture, Identity, and Feminist Horror in The Substance Michelle Kiara Boediman; Jenny Mochtar
Kata Kita: Journal of Language, Literature, and Teaching Vol. 14 No. 2 (2026):
Publisher : Institute of Research and Community Outreach - Petra Christian University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.9744/katakita.14.2.%p

Abstract

Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance (2024) is a bold, body-horror-infused exploration of what it means to be a woman aging under the glare of the public eye. The film follows Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading fitness icon who turns to a mysterious biotechnology promising youth, beauty, and a “better self.” What begins as transformation quickly collapses into self-destruction as Elisabeth’s younger clone, Sue, takes over her life. Through this grotesque evolution, The Substance dismantles the makeover narrative so familiar in popular cinema, the idea that physical transformation equals empowerment, and instead exposes its rot. This paper examines how The Substance rewrites beauty transformation tropes through horror, how this subversion fragments the identities of Elisabeth and Sue, and what the film ultimately reveals about societal pressures surrounding beauty, aging, and female selfhood. Drawing on genre theory, feminist film theory (particularly Laura Mulvey’s concept of the gaze), and cultural studies perspectives on beauty and postfeminism, I analyze how mise-en-scène and performance work together to visualize the horror of internalized beauty ideals. In doing so, I argue that The Substance transforms the makeover fantasy into a nightmare of self-surveillance, turning the pursuit of perfection into a literal act of bodily consumption. Through its shocking imagery and deliberate ambiguity, Fargeat’s film critiques a culture that commodifies women’s bodies, punishes them for aging, and disguises conformity as empowerment.
Dalam Diam, Kita Bicara : A Collection of Short Stories on Cognitive Distortion in Society Priska Amalia; Jenny Mochtar
Kata Kita: Journal of Language, Literature, and Teaching Vol. 14 No. 2 (2026):
Publisher : Institute of Research and Community Outreach - Petra Christian University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.9744/katakita.14.2.248-253

Abstract

Mental health has become a prominent issue in contemporary Indonesian society. Cognitive distortion is one of the mental health problems that is often considered normal by the public, even though it significantly affects the way individuals think about and interpret problems. This study aims to help the public better understand the symptoms, impacts, and ways of addressing cognitive distortions in everyday life. By using short stories as a medium, readers are expected to more easily comprehend cognitive distortions and develop empathy toward those who experience them. The author employs the theory of the Ten Forms of Twisted Thinking, which outlines various types of cognitive distortions present in human thinking, as well as The Daily Mood Log, which focuses on the process of reconstructing negative thoughts into healthier and more adaptive ones. These two theories support the writing of three short stories entitled Hari Baik Untuk Mati, Karyawan Teladan, and Mimpi Indah. Each short story features a different main character in terms of age, background, and personal conflict, but experience cognitive distortions. 
Sweet, Sweet Legacy! A One-Act Play Satire about Family Dynamics Ellara Yusea Ananda; Jenny Mochtar
Kata Kita: Journal of Language, Literature, and Teaching Vol. 14 No. 2 (2026):
Publisher : Institute of Research and Community Outreach - Petra Christian University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.9744/katakita.14.2.241-247

Abstract

This creative thesis aims to illustrate how family dynamics shape individuals’ base behaviors that would further determine their personal growth and development. The story goes with three siblings as main characters, Issa, Dru, and Ade, who mock their elder relatives for fighting over inheritance on the day of the burial of their late grandmother. This one-act play uses dramatic comedy. I use Bowen Family Systems theory in portraying family dynamics in my creative work. The family dynamics are passed down to Issa, Dru, and Ade through multigenerational transmission process, differentiation of self, sibling position, and nuclear family emotional process. The family dynamics shape Issa into a parentified child, Dru into an insolent middle child, and Ade into an emotionally avoidant child. This play underscores the importance of acknowledging the patterns and dynamics within ourselves that determine our growth and development.
Co-Authors Arya Sandy Damara Exelsior Cerelia Permatasari Chili Podang Bethari Ellara Yusea Ananda Fitriani Marchellita Halim Florencia Elanie Jennifer Andriany Chandra Mercillia Widodo Michelle Kiara Boediman Priska Amalia Ruth Adriani Tandio Stephanie Devina Vanessa