
Every year, the Cannes Film Festival brings us a standout movie, and in 2024, The Substance was the one to watch. Directed by Coraline Fargeat, this film marks a big-screen comeback for 90s icon Demi Moore in a role that has everyone talking.
If you’re into body-horror films, The Substance is one to keep an eye on. This genre has given us unforgettable movies from legends like David Cronenberg (The Fly, Crimes of the Future), Julia Ducournau (Raw, Titane), and John Carpenter (The Thing, Prince of Darkness). Early reactions to The Substance describe it as “spectacular and revolting” and a “diabolically delightful B movie” packed with laughs, thrills, and plenty of blood. Sound intriguing? It looks like this film could be another hit in the genre.
Curious to learn more? Here’s everything you need to know about The Substance!
All the Inside Scoop on The Substance!

The Substance hit theaters in the UK and US on September 20, 2024, thanks to Mubi, and made its way to France on November 6, 2024, through Metropolitan Filmexport. If you missed it in theaters, don’t worry, you can stream it on Mubi or rent/buy it on digital platforms.
The Substance is a 2024 sci-fi horror film about a struggling Hollywood star, Elisabeth Sparkle, who uses an illegal drug to create a younger version of herself. Written by Coraline Fargeat, The Substance comes with a unique twist on your usual synopsis:
Ever dreamed of being a better version of yourself?
You. But better in every single way.
Seriously, you have to try this new product—The Substance.
IT CHANGED MY LIFE.
It creates another you.
A younger, more beautiful, more perfect version of yourself.
There’s just one rule: you share time.
One week for you. One week for the new you.
Seven days each. Perfect balance.
Simple, right?
As long as you stick to the balance… what could go wrong?
The official trailers for The Substance are now available online. Check them out below:
What is the Monster in The Substance Called?
In The Substance, the monster is called Monstro Elisasue. It’s a horrifying creature that is born when Sue injects the leftover Substance, hoping to create a younger version of herself. Instead, the drug mutates and combines Sue’s DNA with Elisabeth’s, giving birth to something completely twisted.

Monstro Elisasue has random body parts: eyeballs, teeth, breasts mixed together into one monstrous form. Elisabeth’s face is stuck on the back of this creature, making it even more terrifying. This creature shows the extreme consequences of trying to stay young, highlighting how dangerous the obsession can be.
💡Did you know? During the filming of The Substance, actress Margaret Qualley faced significant skin issues due to extensive prosthetic makeup, leading to severe acne that took about a year to heal. The prosthetics caused such damage that the production had to avoid filming her face towards the end of shooting. Interestingly, in her subsequent film, Kinds of Kindness, Qualley utilized her prosthetic-induced acne for her character, eliminating the need for additional makeup.



Who’s Featured in the Cast of The Substance?
The cast of The Substance is led by Demi Moore (Ghost), a Golden Globe winner. She stars alongside Margaret Qualley (Poor Things) and Dennis Quaid (Lawmen: Bass Reeves). Other actors in the film include Edward Hamilton and Gore Abrams.
Here’s the full cast list:
- Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle
- Margaret Qualley as Sue
- Dennis Quaid as Harvey
- Edward Hamilton Clark as Fred
- Gore Abrams as Oliver
- Oscar Lesage as Troy
- Christian Erickson as the man at the diner
- Robin Greer as the male nurse
- Tom Morton as the doctor
- Hugo Diego Garcia as Diego
- Yann Bean as the voice of The Substance
What Happens at the End of The Substance?

⚠️SPOILER ALERT⚠️
The ending of The Substance circles back to where it all began, Elisabeth Sparkle’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. After everything she’s been through, Elisabeth’s true self breaks free from the monstrous, shapeshifting creature she had become. She drags herself to her star, battered and bloodied, much like the fading recognition of women in the entertainment industry as they grow older. In the final moments, Elisabeth lies at the star, covered in blood, until she slowly dissolves into nothing, leaving only memories behind. A street cleaner eventually sweeps away what remains, symbolizing society’s disposable view of women once they no longer meet its youthful ideal.
This ending is a powerful commentary on ageism, particularly towards women in the public eye. No matter the extreme lengths they take to stay young and relevant, they often find themselves ridiculed, discarded, or forgotten. The film shows that women are one with their older selves, and rather than fighting against it, they should embrace self-acceptance and kindness reminders that, despite society’s views, aging is a natural part of life, not something to be feared or hidden.
Award Wins and Nominations for The Substance! The Endless List!

Here’s a summary of all the major awards and nominations The Substance has received so far:
Award Ceremony | Category | Result | Recipient |
---|---|---|---|
BAFTAs | Best Leading Actress | Nominee | Demi Moore |
Best Director | Nominee | Coralie Fargeat | |
Best Original Screenplay | Nominee | Coralie Fargeat | |
Best Make Up & Hair | Nominee | – | |
Best Sound | Nominee | – | |
Golden Globes | Best Motion Picture Comedy/Musical | Nominee | – |
Best Actress Comedy/Musical | Winner | Demi Moore | |
Best Supporting Actress | Nominee | Margaret Qualley | |
Best Director | Nominee | Coralie Fargeat | |
Best Screenplay | Nominee | Coralie Fargeat | |
Cannes Film Festival | Palme d’Or | Nominee | – |
Best Screenplay | Winner | Coralie Fargeat | |
Critics Choice Awards | Best Picture | Nominee | – |
Best Actress | Nominee | Demi Moore | |
Best Supporting Actress | Nominee | Margaret Qualley | |
Best Director | Nominee | Coralie Fargeat | |
Best Original Screenplay | Nominee | Coralie Fargeat | |
Best Hair and Makeup | Nominee | – | |
Best Visual Effects | Nominee | – | |
Gotham Awards | Outstanding Lead Performance | Nominee | Demi Moore |
Independent Spirit Awards | Best Feature | Nominee | – |
Best Lead Performance | Nominee | Demi Moore | |
London Critics Circle Awards | Film of the Year | Nominee | – |
Director of the Year | Nominee | Coralie Fargeat | |
Actress of the Year | Nominee | Demi Moore | |
Supporting Actress of the Year | Nominee | Margaret Qualley | |
Screenwriter of the Year | Nominee | Coralie Fargeat | |
Technical Achievement Award – Makeup | Nominee | – | |
Los Angeles Film Critics | Best Leading Performance | Runner-up | Demi Moore |
SAG Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor | Nominee | Demi Moore |
Toronto International Film Fest | People’s Choice Award – Midnight Madness | Winner | – |
What Does the Critics Review about The Substance?

The Substance earned an impressive 7.4/10 IMDb rating based on the audience feedback of around 204k viewers. As per the critics on Rotten Tomatoes:
What a wild ride! The Substance is an intense and unforgettable movie that will stay with you after watching. It’s full of dark humor, scary moments, and some parts that are hard to watch. The film is entertaining, funny, and shocking all at once. Coralie Fargeat’s direction makes the story unique, blending humor and horror in a way that leaves a lasting impact.
As per the review from The Guardian, The Substance is a dark, twisted take on misogyny and body-objectification, borrowing ideas from classic directors like Roger Vadim and Jane Fonda, as well as Frankenheimer and Cronenberg. It focuses on the pressure women face in media and public life to keep their older selves hidden away. Unlike Dorian Gray’s painting, this can’t just be ignored—it has to be dealt with constantly. Fargeat builds up a shocking moment for a sleazy media executive named Harvey, but the real horror comes from women’s own fear of both their younger and older selves.
The movie can feel a bit over the top and repetitive towards the end, but Demi Moore really embraces the postmodern horror of her character. It’s a bit trashy – and intentionally so – but in that way, it feels like a throwback to the home entertainment era of pulp movies and weird video-store finds. It reminded of Michael Crichton’s 80s chiller Looker, with Albert Finney as a creepy plastic surgeon. Fargeat adds her own set of shocking moments to this mix.
The Substance Maintains Strong Theatrical Presence

The Substance has had a strong showing at the box office, despite its unconventional visuals and dark, body-horror storyline. After a month-and-a-half in theaters, the film has made around $470,000 in its seventh weekend, pushing its domestic total past $15 million. With around 300 theaters still showing it, the film’s success has been enough to bring in $28 million from international markets, giving it a global gross of around $44 million so far. After its release in France, where it has yet to debut, the film could easily surpass $50 million globally. Despite being a riskier, niche horror film, The Substance has proven to be a solid draw at the box office, reaching this milestone largely thanks to strong word-of-mouth and positive reviews.
Meet the Creative Team Behind The Substance?
The Substance is written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. It was produced by Fargeat, Tim Bevan, and Eric Fellner, who worked together on the 2012 musical Les Misérables. The executive producers are Alexandra Loewy (from The Meg) and Nicolas Royer (from Bad Seeds). The movie was made by Bevan and Fellner’s production company, Working Title Films, and will be distributed by Mubi. Most of the film was shot in Paris, France.
How The Substance is Also a Fan-Favourite!
FAQs
It is available to stream from home. “The Substance” is also available on Mubi but if you don’t have an account, you can sign up for a 7-day free trial through Prime Video.
It stands as a contender for not only the best “WTF movie” of the year but perhaps even of the decade.
The Substance features plenty of nudity, gruesome gore, and violence. Its final act leans into shock-horror camp, reminiscent of films like The Toxic Avenger. The movie also includes references to other horror classics, with notable nods to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.
It is body/psychological horror, so don’t expect jump scares.
The truth is based on a real experience had by The Substance’s director Coralie Fargeat
Wrap Up!
The Substance is a bold and intense movie available to watch at home that combines body horror with powerful social messages. It has shocking visuals, strong performances, and a story that makes you think about beauty, aging, and how far people will go to stay young. The film leaves a lasting impact and is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys unique and thought-provoking stories.