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8.6
MUBI Acclaimed

The Substance

The Substance · MUBI Masterpieces Collection

2024 141 min R
Critic8.6
Horror Sci-Fi Body Horror Black Comedy
MUBI Apple TV FindEdition
Trailer Where to Watch

Overview

A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
Story 8.5
Acting 9.2
Direction 8.9
Cinematography 8.7
Music 8.4
Pacing 8.8
Originality 9.5
Emotional Impact 8.5
Overall 8.6

Editorial Review

By FindEdition Cinema Desk

8.6 /10

Demi Moore's Fearless Return

Demi Moore gives the performance of a lifetime, committing fully to the psychological and physical devastation of aging in the spotlight.

Uncompromising Body Horror

Coralie Fargeat crafts an exhilarating, repulsive, and wildly entertaining cinematic rollercoaster.

Pros

  • Extraordinary, career-best lead performances by Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley
  • Biting, highly effective satire on societal beauty standards and aging
  • Daring, ground-breaking practical effects and striking visual style

Cons

  • Extreme graphic body horror and gore are intensely overwhelming for sensitive viewers
  • Unflinching satirical excess can be polarizing
Verdict A fearless, jaw-dropping, and audaciously gross body horror satire anchored by Demi Moore's powerhouse performance.

AI Review

A bold, wildly inventive, and visceral body horror masterpiece directed by Coralie Fargeat, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley as dual manifestations of a woman destroying herself for youth.

A fearless, jaw-dropping, and audaciously gross body horror satire anchored by Demi Moore's powerhouse performance.

An absolute essential viewing milestone for all fans of provocative cinema, dark comedy, and modern horror.

Awards

Cannes Film Festival

Best Screenplay (Coralie Fargeat) · Won

Academy Awards (Oscars)

Best Makeup and Hairstyling · Won

Timeline

Release Date
Theatrical Date
Digital Date
Physical Date
Premiere
Festival
Status
Development

Written and developed by Coralie Fargeat as a satirical critique of beauty standards and aging.

Principal photography

Filmed in Paris, France.

Post-production

Completed in early 2024 prior to its premiere competition screening at the Cannes Film Festival.

Cannes Film Festival

Best Screenplay (Coralie Fargeat) Won

Academy Awards (Oscars)

Best Makeup and Hairstyling Won

Production

Development

Written and developed by Coralie Fargeat as a satirical critique of beauty standards and aging.

Principal photography

Filmed in Paris, France.

Post-production

Completed in early 2024 prior to its premiere competition screening at the Cannes Film Festival.

Streaming

MUBI Apple TV FindEdition

Cast

Demi Moore Elisabeth Sparkle
Margaret Qualley Sue
Dennis Quaid Harvey
Edward Hamilton-Clark The Visitor
Gore Abrams Oliver
Oscar Lesage Troy
Christian Erickson Man at the Bar
Robin Greer Nurse

Characters

Elisabeth Sparkle Demi Moore
Sue Margaret Qualley
Harvey Dennis Quaid
The Visitor Edward Hamilton-Clark
Oliver Gore Abrams
Troy Oscar Lesage
Man at the Bar Christian Erickson
Nurse Robin Greer

Crew

Coralie Fargeat Director
Coralie Fargeat Screenwriter
Coralie Fargeat Producer
Tim Bevan Producer
Eric Fellner Producer
Reputator Composer
Benjamin Kracun Cinematographer
Coralie Fargeat Editor
Pierre Quefféléan Production Designer
Emmanuelle Youchnovski Costume Designer

Videos

Official Trailer

Soundtrack

  1. The Substance Main Theme — Reputator
  2. Pump It Up (Aerobics Workout) — Various Artists

Trivia

  • Demi Moore delivered a career-defining comeback performance that earned widespread critical acclaim.
  • Won the Best Screenplay award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
  • Noted for its extreme, ground-breaking practical body horror makeup effects supervised by Pierre-Olivier Persin.

Quotes

"Have you ever dreamed of a better version of yourself? Always."

"You are one."

Goofs

  • Bathroom mirror reflection angles occasionally misalign during the tense transition sequences between Elisabeth and Sue.

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Collections

Part of MUBI Masterpieces Collection

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Universe

Coralie Fargeat Cinematic Universe

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Franchise

The Substance

A standalone original feature film distributed globally by MUBI.

Browse franchise →

Recommendations & Alternatives

A similarly themed alternative is Avengers: Infinity War.

Similar Films

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Scored by genre, cast, director, franchise, and studio overlap

AI Recommendation Insight

A bold, wildly inventive, and visceral body horror masterpiece directed by Coralie Fargeat, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley as dual manifestations of a woman destroying herself for youth. Similar picks: Highly Rated Horror, Highly Rated Sci-fi

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