The Substance

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

279K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Elisabeth Sparkle is a former A-lister past her prime who is suddenly fired from her fitness TV show.

She is then drawn to the opportunity presented by a mysterious new drug: THE SUBSTANCE. All it takes is one injection and she is reborn -- temporarily -- as the gorgeous, twentysomething Sue.

The only rule? Time needs to be split: exactly one week in one body, then one week in the other. No exceptions. A perfect balance. What could go wrong?

Play trailer2:31

5 Videos

99+ Photos

Body Horror Dark Comedy Monster Horror Psychological Horror Showbiz Drama Drama Horror Sci-Fi

A fading celebrity takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.A fading celebrity takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.A fading celebrity takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

279K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 137 wins & 274 nominations total

Videos5

Demi Moore Through the Years

Clip 1:39

2024 in 24 Films

Photos375

+ 369

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Ray Liotta was cast in the film in February 2022, but he died in May that year before he could film his scenes. Dennis Quaid replaced him, but Liotta is still mentioned in the director's "Thank You Notes" during the credits.

Goofs
The toilet mirror reappears intact after being repeatedly smashed during the fight sequence. (Maybe someone poured 'the substance' on it. LOL)

Quotes
Elisabeth Sparkle: There's been a slight misuse of the Substance.

Crazy credits
A special thanks in the credits is given to the many extras in the theater scene, who got covered in blood.

Connections
Featured in The 7PM Project: Episode dated 20 September 2024 (2024)

Soundtracks
Pump It Up
Written by Michael Hall and Leonardo Stella
Performed by Earl Gregory
Produced by Julien Deguines

User reviews2.1K

Featured review

6/10

The substance reproduces the things that it wants to criticize.

The substance reproduces the things that it wants to criticize.

The criticism doesn't work because it's contradictory. It wants to criticize the beauty cult but reproduces the fear and disgust of aging. It shows us a tremendously disgusting old female body and places it next to a younger, thinner and wrinkle-free version. With a male gaze all over it.

The Substance shows us that the worst thing that can happen to a woman is getting old. If she's old, she's worthless, ugly and unloveable. So you have to do anything to stay young, thin and beautiful.

Instead of criticising the system and the society, who are responsable for this beauty cult, the movie emphasizes, how greedy and envious the female protagonist is.