Four months after receiving the Best Screenplay award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it earned a 13-minute standing ovation, Coralie Fargeat's body horror satire The Substance made its debut in US theaters. The film has garnered numerous awards and nominations, including five Oscar nods. Featuring the Oscar-nominated performances of Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, IGN gave The Substance an impressive 8/10 review, praising it as a "sick, twisted, and squirm-inducing parable" that critiques celebrity culture's fixation on youth and beauty.

### The Substance

2See it at Prime VideoSee it at MUBIThe Substance is streaming exclusively on Mubi, not on Netflix or Hulu. Mubi offers a subscription-based service with a seven-day free trial. If you're not ready to commit to another streaming platform, The Substance is also available to rent or purchase from various digital marketplaces, including Prime Video and Apple TV+.

### The Substance [4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital]

0Demi Moore delivers a career-defining performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, a former A-lister who is fired from her fitness TV show by studio head Harvey. Drawn to the allure of THE SUBSTANCE, a single injection transforms her into the stunning, youthful Sue. The Substance is now available in 4K, and you can grab it for $42.98, currently on sale for $24.96 at Amazon. For more information on physical releases, explore our comprehensive guide to upcoming Blu-rays.

What Is The Substance About?

The Substance is a gripping satirical body horror-thriller crafted by writer-director Coralie Fargeat. Here's the official synopsis from Mubi:

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

The Substance was both written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. It features standout performances from:

Demi Moore as Elisabeth SparkleMargaret Qualley as SueDennis Quaid as HarveyThe Substance Rating and Runtime

The Substance is Rated R due to its intense bloody violence, gore, graphic nudity, and strong language. The film has a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes, including credits, and does not include a post-credits scene.

For more film insights, don't miss our lists of the biggest movies of 2024 on IGN.