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The Substance
2024 141 min France, United Kingdom, United States of America R 18+
★7.7
Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Trailers
EN
EN
Teaser
Teaser
Teaser
Description
A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
Budget:
$17.5M
US Gross:
$17.58M
Worldwide:
$77.32M
Starring
Demi Moore
Actor
Margaret Qualley
Actor
Dennis Quaid
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 2025
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Golden Globe 2025
— Best Actress (Comedy or Musical)
Cannes Film Festival 2024
— Best Screenplay
Academy Awards 2025
— Best Director
Academy Awards 2025
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Golden Globe 2025
— Best Actress (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 2025
— Best Screenplay
Golden Globe 2025
— Best Supporting Actress
European Film Awards 2024
— Best Picture
Golden Globe 2025
— Best Picture (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 2025
— Best Director
Cannes Film Festival 2024
— Palme d'Or
Saturn Awards 2025
— Best Supporting Actress
BAFTA 2025
— Best Original Screenplay
BAFTA 2025
— Best Sound
Academy Awards 2025
— Best Screenplay
Cannes Film Festival 2024
— Best Screenplay
Saturn Awards 2025
— Best Actress
Saturn Awards 2025
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Saturn Awards 2025
— Best Independent Film
BAFTA 2025
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
BAFTA 2025
— Best Actress
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2025
— Best Actress
Razzie Awards 2025
— Redemption Award
César Awards 2025
— Best International Feature Film
Key opinion
The Substance is a visually arresting and visceral body-horror film that explores the societal obsession with youth and the destructive nature of self-hatred. While widely praised for Demi Moore's courageous performance and striking aesthetic choices, opinions diverge on whether the film's relentless gore and stylistic excess effectively serve its commentary or undermine the narrative.
| Acting | Demi Moore delivers a fearless and emotionally demanding performance that anchors the film’s exploration of aging and self-loathing. | |
| Production | The production design and practical effects evoke a vivid, grotesque aesthetic reminiscent of classic 1980s body horror. | |
| Theme | The film offers a sharp and effective critique of Hollywood’s commodification of women and the societal pressure to maintain unrealistic standards of youth. | |
| Pacing | The runtime and pacing are viewed as either an immersive, deliberate exercise in horror or an exhausting and sluggish experience. | |
| Ending | The final act is a subject of debate, with some finding its surreal hyperbole a fitting metaphorical climax, while others see it as a descent into incoherent and excessive shock value. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is criticized by some for being overly simplistic or conceptually thin, despite its strong visual presentation. |