Four months after its triumphant premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival—where it garnered a 13-minute standing ovation and the Best Screenplay award—Coralie Fargeat's darkly comedic body horror film, The Substance, arrived in US theaters. The film has since garnered significant critical acclaim, earning five Oscar nominations, including nods for its stars, Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. IGN awarded it an 8/10, praising its "sick, twisted, and squirm-inducing parable" that indicts celebrity culture's obsession with youth and beauty.
Looking to watch The Substance online? Here's how:
How to Watch The Substance Online
The Substance
Currently, The Substance streams exclusively on Mubi. While Mubi is a subscription service, they offer a seven-day free trial. Alternatively, you can rent or buy the film through various digital platforms, including Prime Video and Apple TV+.
The Substance on Blu-ray
The Substance [4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital]
Demi Moore delivers a career-best performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, a former A-lister ousted from her fitness TV show by studio head Harvey. She becomes entangled with "THE SUBSTANCE," a mysterious drug that temporarily transforms her into the youthful Sue (Margaret Qualley). The 4K version is now available. For more details on physical releases, check out our comprehensive guide to upcoming Blu-rays.
What Is The Substance About?
The Substance is a satirical body horror-thriller written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. Mubi's official synopsis reads: "Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a former A-lister past her prime, is drawn to the opportunity presented by a mysterious new drug. All it takes is one injection and she is reborn – temporarily – as the gorgeous, twentysomething Sue (Margaret Qualley). The only rule? Time needs to be split: exactly one week in one body, then one week in the other. No exceptions. Easy, right?"
The Substance Cast
Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, The Substance stars:
- Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle
- Margaret Qualley as Sue
- Dennis Quaid as Harvey
The Substance Rating and Runtime
The Substance is Rated R for strong bloody violent content, gore, graphic nudity, and language. The film runs for 2 hours and 20 minutes, including credits. There is no post-credits scene.
For more from IGN, check out our lists of the biggest movies of 2024.
