The Substance

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2:25

The Substance

R

Released Sep 20, 2024

2h 21m

Horror

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

371 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Verified Ratings

Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? You, only better in every way. You should try this new product, it's called The Substance. IT CHANGED MY LIFE. With The Substance, you can generate another you: younger, more beautiful, more perfect. You just have to share time -- one week for one, one week for the other. A perfect balance of seven days each... Easy right? If you respect the balance... What could possibly go wrong?

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Critics Consensus

Audaciously gross, wickedly clever, and possibly Demi Moore's finest hour, The Substance is a gasp-inducing feat from writer-director Coralie Fargeat.

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Audience Says

While it may not suit everyone’s stomach, those with an appetite for the grotesque will succumb to Demi Moore’s Kafka-esque performance and feast on the bodily horrors of The Substance.

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Rachel Syme

The New Yorker

For my money, one of the best things you can do this season is to run to see the French director Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance while it is still playing on the big screen.

Oct 21, 2024

Full Review

Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

Falls into the category of films that men like to claim as feminist.

Oct 8, 2024

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

Extraordinary... This is daring and stylish.

Oct 8, 2024

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Stephen Garrett

Book & Film Globe

It’s a fantasy-turned-nightmare that owes a deep debt to David Cronenberg’s pulpy existential ruminations but blazes a new vision for femme phantasms. Long live the new flesh, even if it means creating the Monstro Elisasue.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 26, 2025

Full Review

Marta Medina

mundoCine

The Substance is a wild and daring descent into the horrors of contemporary beauty standards. Driven by Demi Moore’s brilliant performance, Coralie Fargeat crafts a devastating and timely reflection. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 17, 2025

Full Review

Matthew Koss

The Wandering Screen (YouTube)

This is one of the best films of the year and even of a body horror gore fest isn’t exactly your thing, the film is darkly funny, captivatingly original and a bloody good time.

Rated: A+

Aug 16, 2025

Full Review

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Ryan M

I don’t know what I thought this movie would be like, but it exceeded my expectations. That last act is gonzo!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

Full Review

MBQ

I was excited to see this film when I got on Blu Ray sucks that I missed my showtime because I fell asleep after coming back home from the gym.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/25

Full Review

Shroom

The Substance instantly became one of my favorite horror films of all time. Tops notch acting, amazing filmography, and an excellent relatable story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

Full Review

David

For being 140min it moves at a pretty quick pace. Great elements of modern and classic horror. All the comparisons made to Corman, Carpenter, Argento, and even a little early Karine or Peter Jackson are on point. Reminds me of going to Chart Hits as a teenager and grabbing that movie off the bot knowing I would be WAY too high for what I was about to watch, and I mean that in a wholly positive manner. Those with a good theater system will appreciate the excellent sound design. Great film, glad I chose to see it in theater.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

Full Review

Lynn

The special effects/Makeup were top notch. Oscar material

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/03/25

Full Review

Ape-Scape7

Loved the beautiful demi moore and what the represented about older women. People want newer, better, etc. sometimes classics and well seasoned is the way to go. I saw myself in some parts. Love the view of dennis quad on the lens. loved the concept. loved the gore. Thank you for a fantastic movie! Thank you for bringing it to the theater!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

Full Review

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Coralie Fargeat

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The Substance: Trailer 2

0:24

The Substance: Trailer 1

2:25

The Substance: Teaser Trailer

1:00

The Substance: Teaser

0:39

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Synopsis

Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? You, only better in every way. You should try this new product, it's called The Substance. IT CHANGED MY LIFE. With The Substance, you can generate another you: younger, more beautiful, more perfect. You just have to share time -- one week for one, one week for the other. A perfect balance of seven days each... Easy right? If you respect the balance... What could possibly go wrong?

Director: Coralie Fargeat
Producer: Coralie Fargeat, Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan
Screenwriter: Coralie Fargeat
Distributor: MUBI
Production Co: Working Title Films
Rating: R (Graphic Nudity|Gore|Language|Strong Violent Content)
Genre: Horror, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 20, 2024, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 31, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.6M
Runtime: 2h 21m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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