The Substance
A fading celebrity uses a black-market drug to create a younger, better version of herself.
Where to watch online
Official services. The link goes straight to this film.
Availability data by JustWatch
About the film
Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?
What it’s about
Elisabeth Sparkle's fame has dimmed, though she still hosts a TV fitness show. When the network plans to reboot the program with a younger host, desperation drives her to try an innovative drug that promises transformation under a strict one-week rule. The treatment produces Sue, a youthful woman who quickly builds a show-business career. Soon Sue decides seven days is not enough.
What hooks you
Coralie Fargeat won Best Screenplay at Cannes and the Oscar for makeup and hairstyling. Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid star. Fargeat has cited Oscar Wilde's novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' as a key inspiration.
Who it’s for
It will appeal to those who like sharp satires of celebrity culture and the beauty industry, delivered with visceral body horror. It will also suit viewers who enjoy stories about identity, aging, and the high cost of reinvention.
- Countries
- United States, United Kingdom, France
- Year
- 2024
- Running time
- 2h 20min
- Age rating
- 18+
- MPAA
- R
- World premiere
- May 19, 2024
×4.5box office to budget
Ratings
MOVIE․ONE · 273 votesCreative team
All 11
Trivia
- In February 2022, Ray Liotta was cast as Harvey. But he died before filming began, and the role went to Dennis Quaid.
- Margaret Qualley admitted in an interview that the bare chest in the film is not her real one, but skillfully made prosthetics.
- According to Coralie Fargeat, the main source of inspiration for creating the film was Oscar Wilde's novel «The Picture of Dorian Gray».
- Demi Moore and director and screenwriter Coralie Fargeat once crossed paths in Paris, and as a result of that meeting, Fargeat invited Moore to play the role of Elisabeth.
- One of the main characters, played by Margaret Qualley, wears star-shaped earrings, just like the heroine from director Coralie Fargeat's debut film «Revenge».
- In several interviews, Demi Moore said that while reading the script, she remembered reading the script for the film «Ghost» and also thought the film would either be a complete flop or a wild success.
Awards and nominations
7 wins · 18 nominations
- 1 win Academy Awards
- 1 win Golden Globe Awards
- 1 win BAFTA Awards
- 1 win Screen Actors Guild Awards
- 1 win Cannes Film Festival
- 2 wins Saturn Awards
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling Academy Awards · 2025
- Best Female Performance (Comedy or Musical) Demi Moore Golden Globe Awards · 2025
- Best Makeup/Hair BAFTA Awards · 2025
- Best Actress Demi Moore Screen Actors Guild Awards · 2025
- Best Screenplay Coralie Fargeat Cannes Film Festival · 2024
- Best Actress Demi Moore Saturn Awards · 2025
Also nominated Cesar Awards1 Golden Raspberry Awards1 European Film Awards1
Reviews
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The Substance (2024)
The Substance
2024
The Substance
2024
The Substance
2024