The Substance
HorrorScience FictionDrama
17+R⭐ 6.7 / 10
2024·2h 21m·Coralie Fargeat·Working Title Films·● Script read & verified
A psychological horror film about an aging fitness TV host who uses a mysterious substance to create a younger, more beautiful version of herself. The...
Watch with your child — Extremely mature themes about self-worth, identity, and disturbing horror imagery require discussion and context
Heads Up for Parents
This is an extreme psychological horror film disguised as a body-swap premise - the content becomes increasingly disturbing and graphic
What's In It
Violence
Extreme▸
Language
Extreme▸
Scary
Extreme▸
Romance
Very Mild▸
Substances
Mild▸
Stimulation
Extreme▸
Cultural & Values Guide
Faith & Religion
●Religious mockery depicted
The film contains explicit blasphemous imagery including a grotesque parody of biblical creation and resurrection themes. Religious symbols and concepts are deliberately distorted in shocking ways throughout the body horror sequences.
Community Notes
- Feminist critics have noted both praise and concern about the film's extreme depiction of beauty standards
Family Takeaways
What it gets right
- ✓Critiques toxic beauty standards and ageism in entertainment industry
- ✓Shows the destructive nature of self-hatred and comparison
Cast:Demi MooreMargaret QualleyDennis QuaidEdward Hamilton-ClarkGore Abrams