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The Substance
2024
Comedy, Drama
2h 20m
A fading celebrity decides to use a black-market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
Directed by:
Coralie FargeatScreenwriter:
Coralie FargeatThe Substance
2024
Comedy, Drama
2h 20m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 62.09% from 467 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
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Rated 18 Oct 2024
30
16th
I'm still thinking about how the fck she built that secret room all by herself
Rated 18 Oct 2024
Rated 30 Sep 2024
64
16th
Almost every second of this movie is so wildly garish and unsubtle in every way and mostly it didn’t work for me at all. The thematic elements may as well have just been replaced with flashing text saying “BEAUTY STANDARDS! BODY IMAGE!”, the filmmaking is turned up to 11 at all times which I found quite irritating and tiresome, and there are some really poorly-written and performed characters (especially Dennis Quaid, what the fuck was that?). That last half an hour, though……unbelievable.
Rated 30 Sep 2024
Rated 26 Sep 2024
50
13th
Fails to do in 2+ hrs what the bathtub scene in The Shining did in like 5 minutes.
Rated 26 Sep 2024
Rated 21 Sep 2024
55
9th
Unsubtle, derivative, repetitive, humourless, endless. No, neither turning the dial of the grotesque to the limit or adding half an hour (or is it a full hour?) of pointless scenes without any real development are a substitute for ideas, a good script or a good direction.
Rated 21 Sep 2024
Rated 27 Sep 2024
80
77th
If Larry Cohen ever got the chance to do sexy or maybe Brian Yuzna or uhhhh *vomits everywhere* Keep making weird shit forever. 2024 - a brat odyssey
Rated 27 Sep 2024
Rated 19 Sep 2024
97
94th
I’m not sure this says anything new about aging/unrealistic beauty expectations women get dealt from others as well as themselves, but when it’s done this effectively, who cares? An absolutely insane film. Diabolically grotesque in all of the right ways (when was the last time body horror was actually this scary?), yet also thought-provoking and surprisingly sad. Stunning cinematography and sound design aside, it’s also extremely well paced, with a pair of exceptional leads. Damn good.
Rated 19 Sep 2024
Rated 13 Oct 2024
50
33rd
Lovers/haters need to chill, Cannes delivers this type of viral, LFG hit nearly every year. It takes off well, gory climax satisfies, you cannot not admire Moore, but Hollywood satire weared me out so early on. Don't think it aims at Cronenberg or that kind of boldness. It wants to be fun and good-looking, with some provocative juice to lure people into its nasty, plastic, frenzy world. More like "body horror remake of Barbie by a Showgirls fan". It scratches the surface of that, but nice try.
Rated 13 Oct 2024
Rated 08 Oct 2024
60
12th
has one mildly interesting thing to say, and says it over, and over, and over again on the plus side, it's gonzo as f***
Rated 08 Oct 2024
Rated 04 Oct 2024
4
51st
Currently puking and shitting myself since I watched this and found out those weren’t Margaret Qualleys real boobs
Rated 04 Oct 2024
Rated 26 Sep 2024
10
0th
Extremely sexist in the sense that it puts women as the actors of sexism. It doesn't make men the clear cause of the substance, and even has male characters using it, as if the pressures on both were the same. So pretty women don't have to face any sexism? A lot of gratuitous nudity and close up scenes of Margaret's ass. Oh, and the film is also ageist as it showcases the aged body as disgusting and horrific. We were better off with Death Becomes Her.
Rated 26 Sep 2024
Rated 23 Sep 2024
91
93rd
Needs the comedy tag added to the genres list because this thing is hilarious from start to finish on top of being incredibly fucked up in subversive fashion (edit: oh hey look at that, the comedy tag got added)
Rated 23 Sep 2024
Rated 22 Sep 2024
80
88th
Great premise, themes and body horror elements. Definitely felt Cronenberg in places and despite being long it went fairly quickly. Well shot, solid performances and cool score/visuals.
Rated 22 Sep 2024
Rated 21 Sep 2024
80
73rd
One of the most grotesque body horror movies you will ever see. The last 10 minutes are a bit absurd but I've not seen anything like this since The Thing or The Fly. Great work by Moore and Qualley. Maybe a little too long, but I enjoyed it
Rated 21 Sep 2024
Rated 21 Sep 2024
94
91st
Had to knock off a half star for not fully explaining who was in control of which body (or at least not quickly enough). And maybe also the main character understanding the substance's vague instructions a little too well. Other than that, future cult classic. The last act is best watched with a crowd.
Rated 21 Sep 2024
Rated 21 Sep 2024
94
80th
The first three quarters of this film are a body horror masterpiece, and the performances from co-leads Qualley and Moore are truly exceptional and honestly, brave in their unyielding confidence. The ending, though, explodes into a complete and utter absurdity. The film clearly takes place in some uncanny valley version of actual reality. Once you accept that, there is a lot to be enthralled by. As for the feminist message, it is necessary, poignant, aggressive, and saturated in equal measure.
Rated 21 Sep 2024
Rated 23 Oct 2024
50
29th
I really liked the stylish setup in the first act but then it started to drag and became a grotesque comedy which I didn't really enjoy. [*already over the disappointment and looking forward to the second season of 'Severance'*]
Rated 23 Oct 2024
Rated 15 Oct 2024
25
0th
Скукота. Нудный мэшап чокнутого профессора и resident evil. Половину фильма с разных ракурсов не очень удачно показывают обнажёнку, что в целом добавляет фильму ничего. Отсутствие хоть какой-то внятной мотивации персонажей и дыры в сценарии наводят на мысль что gpt написал бы лучше.
Rated 15 Oct 2024
Rated 14 Oct 2024
70
69th
meth becomes her
Rated 14 Oct 2024
Rated 14 Oct 2024
7
69th
Trite social commentary but the body horror goes hard. The protagonist(s) is a tragic hero and the more sympathetic you'll feel towards her the more seeing her make mistake after mistake will make you feel anxious. I wish I could rate it higher but they unfortunately couldn't keep it together for the ending which goes way over the top. In summary, The Substance provides horror, anxiety and depression with a side of hot asses, good movie I'd say.
Rated 14 Oct 2024
Rated 14 Oct 2024
65
46th
it's not bad, psychologicly the film just stays kinda safe with darkest moment maybe being the part where she dosen't go on a date, maybe the camp of the end would have been maximized if the under tone would have been serious like this through out when now it was more netflix-horror
Rated 14 Oct 2024
Rated 13 Oct 2024
90
96th
This movie is MENTAL!!!!! and also hysterically gross and funny from the first to the last scene. The shrimp, the necrotic finger, the furious cooking, the ending. It had me screaming, from laughter and disgust. The tone is quite specific, it has its own unique bandwidth that the American actors move around in flawlessly, while the all-French production team absolutely nails all aspects of sensory moviemaking with a special type of scorn and goûte that seems particular to their cinema culture
Rated 13 Oct 2024
Rated 03 Oct 2024
80
80th
Glorious, visceral, monstrous. The message offers no subtlety and doesn’t pretend to. It is ham fisted, it is ramming your cranium over and over and over in granite wall until solely bloody pulp is exposed for all to witness and perceive. The Substance reaches inside your stomach, strokes your guts and asks you if you like it. Beautifully shot, picture perfect grotesquerie. Body horror in its most feminine package. Moore gives a career defining performance. Above all, incessantly tragic.
Rated 03 Oct 2024
Rated 27 Sep 2024
95
94th
The least subtle movie of the year. It's Showgirls directed by David Croenenbourg. Beats you over the head and rubs your face in it's absurd hyper-sexualized gratuity. Hilarious.
Rated 27 Sep 2024
Rated 02 Nov 2024
45
4th
Its like Fargeat had watched some Cronenberg and The Elephant Man, and borrowed bits from them. The premise was initially interesting, if very contrived, but then it descends into a ridiculous sequence which finishes with more blood being splatted around than an 80's slasher movie!
Rated 02 Nov 2024
Rated 02 Nov 2024
73
91st
#24#, rw3, popcorn, ratings, actresses
Rated 02 Nov 2024
Rated 02 Nov 2024
87
46th
The Substance is one of the most creative and in your face body horror films to come out since the days of Cronenberg. I expect it will be a very polarizing film with as many people who hate it as love it, but for me it worked. The themes explored here are not at all subtle, but the film explores them well. It is supported by fearless performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley and some of the craziest visuals you will see in a while.
Rated 02 Nov 2024
Rated 02 Nov 2024
78
87th
Plot 14/20 Fiction 15/20 Casting/Acting 18/20 Worldbuilding 15/20 Entertainment 16/20
Rated 02 Nov 2024
Rated 02 Nov 2024
7
57th
Bears heavy markers of obvious influences, and its themes are bit too on the nose most of the time, but what it lacks in subtlety, it makes up for with a distinct and batshit insane vision that Fargeat pulls off exceptional care and skill from first (fantastic) image to last.
Rated 02 Nov 2024
Rated 01 Nov 2024
79
69th
The ending of this film might be the very definition of "This shit goes hard".
Rated 01 Nov 2024
Rated 31 Oct 2024
87
79th
Them damn subscription services will get you.
Rated 31 Oct 2024
Rated 30 Oct 2024
70
51st
This is a film that you are probably going to drive yourself mad trying to explain, or at least work out what the director was trying to say, and once you have worked out what she meant, whether she achieved her goals etc etc. But I think you have to just ask yourself if you had a great time watching it ... we know what's it about, we know getting old is not so hot, but did you enjoy it? I know I did. I even loved the "grotesque" stripped from the walls of the Alien nest and the "Carriebath"!
Rated 30 Oct 2024
Rated 30 Oct 2024
70
52nd
I hated some parts, and I loved some parts. The Hollywood/show business satire was too shallow and forced. There was about a half-hour soft porn segment in the movie, which was probably intended to emphasise the young/old contrast, but it started to drag after a while. However, the last half hour was highly entertaining. I can see a lot of Lynch and Kubrick influences in the director's style, which I appreciate. I can't say I loved it or hated it overall—it's kind of both.
Rated 30 Oct 2024
Rated 30 Oct 2024
95
95th
Lovely modern body horror directed by a waman
Rated 30 Oct 2024
Rated 30 Oct 2024
82
70th
My ★★★★ review of The Substance on Letterboxd https://boxd.it/7GeIiF
Rated 30 Oct 2024
Rated 28 Oct 2024
8
71st
awesome. lost a point because it went off the rails a little at the end
Rated 28 Oct 2024
Rated 27 Oct 2024
72
78th
What a freakin' punk rock film, with treble and bass turned up to the hilt. Fargeat screams something obvious about feminism, and then just trashes the place. She's seen it all (horror films), and she doesn't need your shit!
Rated 27 Oct 2024
Rated 27 Oct 2024
0
5th
a shallow portrayal (sound-bite themes, ironically hollow core, riddled with clichés) of addiction without any connection with broader societal issues; poncy symbolism; overuse of visual effects and inconsistent tonal shifts; the protagonist is not a character
Rated 27 Oct 2024
Rated 27 Oct 2024
93
88th
The themes resonate and hit pretty hard in this one. This was very vibrant while also being extreme. There are some really cool nods/references to other movies which I appreciated a lot. The performances are all great, there are moments of comedic absurdity throughout but the underlying bleakness of it all is pretty striking. It absolutely delivers with excellent practical effects and grotesque visuals, I really loved this.
Rated 27 Oct 2024
Rated 26 Oct 2024
80
27th
I take it as a genre movie with social commentary, and not the other way round. This way it works quite well for me, with the point landing strongly on an emotional level. Intellectually this movie isn't strong and has many flaws.
Rated 26 Oct 2024
Rated 26 Oct 2024
65
39th
wouldhitharderifshedidntstilllooksoamazinglol+sheevenstilllooksgreatnaked+awwit'sadiffactressandshessomuchyoungerlol+omgsewtheback+theyshouldnthavecastsomeonewhowasatleasthotterthandemiatSOMEpointoreveninthefuture:P+lmaokillllmeee+lmaotittywithacord-thisreallywhatthesebitchesbedoingthough-themonster!
Rated 26 Oct 2024
Rated 25 Oct 2024
69
73rd
Dennis Quaid’s over-done character (that is neither funny or edgy) comes close to symbolize the whole movie. Thankfully there is more to it, and it stays interesting and entertaining all the way.
Rated 25 Oct 2024
Rated 25 Oct 2024
84
96th
I would show this to my girlfriend on a first date. If she vibes, then she's good for the second date.
Rated 25 Oct 2024
Rated 23 Oct 2024
80
92nd
Terror feminists
Rated 23 Oct 2024
Rated 21 Oct 2024
60
26th
Elisabeth Sparkle: "There's been a slight misuse of the Substance."
Rated 21 Oct 2024
Rated 21 Oct 2024
82
61st
Awesome movie that has an incredible premise, but the body horror was a lot for me to take in. In the end it just goes off the rails.
Rated 21 Oct 2024
Rated 20 Oct 2024
88
97th
Two absolutely great leads, banger sound and visuals and just perfect practical disgusting effects. Thoroughly entertaining.
Rated 20 Oct 2024
Rated 20 Oct 2024
84
80th
2024'de #FilmEkimi nde #IzlediğimFilmler ; 238. The Substance Cronenberg + Gordon + Yuzna + Verhoeven! Body horror tarihine geçti bile. Süresini 1 sn hissetmedim, aktı. Söylenecek harika şeyler var. Kast, ses tasarımı, efektler, göndermeler. Moore için ayrı pencere açılır. 8/10
Rated 20 Oct 2024
Rated 20 Oct 2024
90
50th
Delightful artistic style, the last 20mins could have been cut out though
Rated 20 Oct 2024
Rated 19 Oct 2024
90
95th
So well and thoughtfull produced it makes me laugh all the time. Masterclass allegorical storytelling, of the level of Mother!, Beau is affraid and, in a way, Speak No Evil (Danish version). This kind of Homeric storytelling IS something new in cinemacountry - I cant think of an example of this in the 80s or 90s. They tried, but never went this far, this deep. Thats a hopefull thought, isnt it?
Rated 19 Oct 2024
Rated 19 Oct 2024
99
93rd
The most unrealistic thing about this movie is seeing stars at night in downtown L.A.! I could see the Kubrick, Cronenberg, and Raimi nods. Felt like Dorian Gray meets Jekyll and Hyde meets Frankenstine. Best body horror I've seen in some time, makes Crimes of the Future look tame. Edit: On reflecting I changed my score from 95 to 99
Rated 19 Oct 2024
Rated 17 Oct 2024
81
64th
what could have been tremendous is let down by script, pacing, and a rift between message and execution. Still an entertaining watch and the body doubles were really hot.
Rated 17 Oct 2024
Rated 17 Oct 2024
88
53rd
I was not prepared for the graphic body horror, but that's just my error. Nonstop discomfort, very impressive.
Rated 17 Oct 2024
Rated 16 Oct 2024
86
88th
Batshit crazy, in a good way. Demi Moore is excellent in this, an Oscar-worthy performance. I like that it's clearly a social commentary but also doesn't go heavy/didactic on that. Great set design and some send-offs to horror classics. Really enjoyable, definitely rewatchable.
Rated 16 Oct 2024
Rated 15 Oct 2024
88
93rd
Amazing parable on deep insecurities about beauty and vanity with a moral of the tale
Rated 15 Oct 2024
Rated 14 Oct 2024
84
78th
Body horror is certainly back on the menu. Pacing is slow initially to carefully explain the body swapping method, which is still pretty silly and unrealistic, but all that is easy to go with when the film is so assured of itself as a commentary on the very exact LA manner of aging disgracefully. Second half shifts gears and gets more gruesome, with the gory moments referencing the likes of The Fly and Requiem for a Dream, before heading audaciously into a monstrous finale.
Rated 14 Oct 2024
Rated 14 Oct 2024
70
24th
Good audio Good picture Good acting Good asses and tits Poor plot Poor sense Poor meaning Yet another film proving to me that audiences are turning more and more into idiotic brainless zombies
Rated 14 Oct 2024
Rated 14 Oct 2024
100
95th
This film is a true rollercoaster, excelling in every aspect. The direction is meticulous, with impressive sound design and special effects. The two lead actresses deliver bold performances, exposing body and soul through their characters. From the midpoint on, the film dives deeper into madness, spiraling into shocking territory with iconic and impactful horror imagery.
Rated 14 Oct 2024
Rated 14 Oct 2024
75
78th
Rarely have I enjoyed a horror movie this much. In retrospect the pacing was good, but it seemed a bit slow while watching it. Acting all around was very good, and the music track was very heavy handed but it fit the action on screen. Events keep escalating and just when you think it can't anymore, it doubles down and goes full tilt. I was laughing pretty hard in places near the end. It's a wild ride and worth every second. Very high praise from me since I am not really a horror genre fan.
Rated 14 Oct 2024
Rated 13 Oct 2024
5
87th
THAT MOVIE IS INSANE. BEST IN THIS YEAR, PERIOD.
Rated 13 Oct 2024
Rated 13 Oct 2024
74
5th
Acts 1 and 2 are fantastic. The shots are beautiful and I think it gets the point across well. I think the acting is outstanding. I also really liked the concept. it was all going so well til act 3. This film turns into a real disappointment and gets real sloppy. The final act is so bad that it really gets hurt in the overall rating. I really was cheering it on the whole time and wanted to like it so much, but the end is just not good.
Rated 13 Oct 2024
Rated 08 Oct 2024
80
81st
First of all, despite its faulty political stance, I loved it. I got the Ducournau's "Raw" vibes. 2/3 of the movie is magnificient. Final act lets down a bit with all that body horror stuff.
Rated 08 Oct 2024
Rated 08 Oct 2024
88
94th
The Substance is an extraordinary cinematic experience that boldly confronts the disturbing pursuit of perfection forced upon the female body. It exposes the terrifying underbelly of beauty standards with unflinching precision, pushing the boundaries of body-horror to new extremes. Visually striking and thematically daring, the film offers a raw and unsettling critique of societal pressures, making it one of the most memorable releases of the year. Nothing else will come close. Truly remarkable.
Rated 08 Oct 2024
Rated 07 Oct 2024
60
44th
It is a good movie. However, I hated the ending; I found it completely unnecessary.
Rated 07 Oct 2024
Rated 01 Oct 2024
70
65th
The ending got too out of control and I didn't care for it so it drops my rating a bit.
Rated 01 Oct 2024
Rated 29 Sep 2024
90
93rd
Film as a primal scream of rage, The Substance squarely and aggressively takes aim at unreasonable beauty standards for females and more. The general points the film is making have been made before, but perhaps never this effectively. It wears its influences on its sleeve, from Cronenberg to Hitchcock to Frankenheimer. Moore is the best possible person for this role for many reasons. She and Qualley are both excellent and Quaid is very fun hamming it up in his repugnant role. A triumph.
Rated 29 Sep 2024
Rated 29 Sep 2024
92
99th
Every shot, every beat, every second of this movie is flawless, and the unrelenting crescendo that explodes into a climax for the ages left me breathless. I'm not exaggerating when I say this is now one of my favorite films of all time.
Rated 29 Sep 2024
Rated 26 Sep 2024
8
92nd
Completely bizarre but utterly entertaining-it does actually tackle substantial themes despite being totally ridiculous.
Rated 26 Sep 2024
Rated 26 Sep 2024
80
73rd
I want to give this a way lower score because of disgusted I feel, even a day after watching it... but at the same time I have to give credit to it, as I had never seen something so fiercely disgusting to force me to look away
Rated 26 Sep 2024
Rated 26 Sep 2024
80
90th
Boobs! Butts! Blood! Guts! Just when you think it can't push it anymore...it goes farther! And then even more! WHAT!? At the end our theatre broke out into applause! One of the very best movies of 2024.
Rated 26 Sep 2024
Rated 23 Sep 2024
50
7th
I liked the premise, but it was too grotesque for my taste. I understand grotesque was intentional and supported the point of the story, but I have never come so close to vomiting on multiple occasions as I did in this movie.
Rated 23 Sep 2024
Rated 20 Sep 2024
90
89th
Bold and a lot of fun. I really enjoyed that the movie goes extra mile to make everything entertaining, even at the expense of logic or common sense, and while it might seem like a bad thing, here it works perfectly.
Rated 20 Sep 2024
Rated 20 Sep 2024
60
63rd
I love when a movie fully commits, but if I catch myself consciously thinking "this scene is going on for way too long" multiple times, including during the finale, I feel like something is wrong with the presentation. I honestly think the runtime could've easily been cut in half. It's beautifully-shot and has great use of sound, and I enjoyed the message, and absurdity to an extent. But it's almost too absurd, amped up, and stretched out to take seriously at times. Wild ride for sure though.
Rated 20 Sep 2024
Rated 07 Sep 2024
94
97th
audiovisual 94 acting 95 overall feeling 94 avg 94; pojebany, ale też pojebanie mi się podobało to feministyczno-cronenbergowskie dzieło ze świetną grą aktorską, dużą immersyjnością, świetną muzyką, grą kamery i każdym zasłyszanym dźwiękiem na ekranie, nie mogłem oderwać wzroku nawet na chwilę
Rated 07 Sep 2024
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Directed by:
Coralie FargeatScreenwriter:
Coralie FargeatCollections
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