The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, is one of the standout body-horror films of 2024, capturing audiences with its intense portrayal of societal fears around aging, beauty, and mortality. Starring Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle and Margaret Qualley as a younger version of the same character, the film explores dark themes through visceral imagery and gut-wrenching performances. Since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, where Fargeat won Best Screenplay, fans have eagerly awaited the streaming and digital release of The Substance.
If you missed catching The Substance in theaters, here’s how and when you can stream it online.
Where to Watch & Stream The Substance Online?
After its successful theatrical release on September 20, 2024, The Substance was acquired by MUBI for distribution. Though there is no official streaming release date as of yet, MUBI is expected to bring the film to its platform in the near future. Subscribers of Mubi can anticipate streaming The Substance as part of the platform’s growing library of critically acclaimed films.
A Mubi subscription costs $14.99 a month, and they also offer a seven-day free trial for new users. This would give fans of the horror genre a great way to watch The Substance once it lands on the platform. If Mubi isn’t your streaming service of choice, you can expect the film to become available for rent or purchase on other popular platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and YouTube within the next few months.
Additionally, you can now pre-order the film here or on VOD platforms like Apple TV, VUDU, etc. A specific date for the release hasn’t been announced yet but we can expect it to be out by the first week of November.
Can You Watch The Substance for Free with a Subscription?
Once the film becomes available on MUBI it will be accessible to subscribers without any additional cost. For those looking for free options, Mubi’s free trial is your best bet to catch the film without committing to a subscription. You can also opt for our exclusive discount rates and get MUBI here.
What is The Substance about?
In The Substance, Demi Moore’s Elisabeth Sparkle, a former TV star discarded by the industry for growing older, takes a mysterious black-market drug to regain her youth. What follows is a disturbing transformation where her younger self, played by Margaret Qualley, begins to manifest both physically and mentally. The film examines the lengths society pressures women to go to in order to maintain beauty and youth, wrapped in the visceral intensity of body horror.
With its potent combination of thought-provoking social commentary and extreme visuals, The Substance has solidified its place as one of the most unforgettable horror films of the year.
