The Substance is a 2024 horror film, rated R due to the nature of scenes in the movie, directed by Coralie Fargeat and distributed globally by Mubi films. It was nominated for Best Picture of 2024 at the Oscars and won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling in the same year. For people who love dark horror, especially body horror, this film is a must-watch.
The Substance is available to stream on HBO Max in the USA. But, how would you watch it outside the United States? This blog guides you on how you can watch The Substance (2024) streaming online, in your region.
How to Watch The Substance Movie (2024)
For those thinking about streaming The Substance outside the United States, follow these steps:
- Choose a reliable, premium streaming VPN service like Surfshark, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN
- Download and install the application on your device
- Choose your desired package > Sign up
- Open the VPN app > go to the servers and choose a USA server
- Download Mubi
- Open the app > search for The Substance
- Watch the movie for free with a 7-day free trial
Where to Watch The Substance Outside the United States
The Substance movie can be streamed online on:
- Mubi
- HBO Max
- Prime Video
- Hulu
- Disney+
- Fandango at Home
- Apple TV
The Substance Movie (2024) Details
Release date: September 20, 2024 (USA)
Director: Coralie Fargeat
IMDb: 7.2/10
Genres: Horror, Science fiction, Satire, Dark comedy, Psychological thriller, Drama, Narrative
Running time: 2h 22m
Streaming on: HBO MAX (USA)
The Substance Plot
The Substance is a gruesome body‑horror drama about Elisabeth Sparkle, an aging TV fitness icon discarded by her network for no longer being “young enough.”
Broken and desperate to reclaim fame, she agrees to an experimental treatment that promises a “new, improved you,” and a younger version of herself, Sue, literally grows out of her body and starts living the life Elisabeth lost.
The two must follow strict rules: sharing time in the world and relying on each other to stay physically stable. But, Sue quickly hogs the spotlight, leaving Elisabeth to deteriorate in secret.
Their arrangement collapses into a violent power struggle that ends in grotesque mutations and a shocking finale. The film uses extreme body horror to critique beauty standards, celebrity culture, and society’s obsession with youth.
Cast of The Substance
Here’s the star cast of the body horror, The Substance (2024):
- Demi Moore as Elisabeth
- Margaret Qualley as Sue
- Dennis Quaid as Harvey
- Edward Hamilton-Clark as Fred
- Gore Abrams as Oliver
- Oscar Lesage as Troy
- Christian Erickson as the Man at the Diner
- Robin Greer as Male Nurse
- Tom Morton as Doctor
- Hugo Diego Garcia as Diego – Boyfriend
- Daniel Knight as Casting Director
- Jonathon Carley as Assistant Casting Director
- Jiselle Henderkott as Girl Auditioning / Dancer – New Year’s Eve Show
- Akil Wingate as TV Host
Watch The Substance Trailer
You can watch the trailer of The Substance (2024) film by clicking on this link.
FAQs
Where can you watch The Substance?
You can watch The Substance movie starring Demi Moore on HBO MAX in the United States.
Is The Substance showing on Netflix?
The Substance isn’t streaming on Netflix. It is available to watch only on HBO MAX in the USA.
When can I watch Substance for free?
You can watch The Substance on Mubi for free with the 7-day free trial package available.
Is The Substance on Disney+?
Yes, The Substance is available for streaming on Disney+ in the USA.
Where can you watch The Substance?
The Substance (2024) can be streamed on HBO Max, Disney+, Mubi, Prime Video, etc.
Is The Substance movie on Netflix?
No, The Substance, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, is not available to stream on Netflix.
Is The Substance free on Amazon Prime?
Yes, new Mubi subscribers can watch The Substance for free on Amazon Prime Video (7-day free trial).
Why is The Substance hard to watch?
The Substance is a body horror film. The excessive gore makes it almost impossible to watch while keeping your eyes open. However, fans who love the genre find it a great film to watch as it complements the horror genre.
Conclusion
So, if you enjoy dark satire, brutal body horror, and sharp commentary on beauty standards, The Substance is a film you shouldn’t skip. It pushes boundaries with graphic, unsettling imagery, but that’s exactly what makes its critique of celebrity culture and obsession with youth hit so hard. Whether you’re in the US or watching from abroad with a VPN, catch The Substance streaming on platforms like HBO Max or Mubi, this movie rewards anyone willing to step outside their comfort zone and face its disturbing, unforgettable vision.

