There's always a breakout movie at the Cannes Film Festival, and among the festival's 2024 new movie it was The Substance from Coraline Fargeat and starring the popular 90s actress Demi Moore, in what has been a comeback role for her on the big screen.
The Substance is the latest entry in the body-horror genre, which has seen some cult favorite movies from the likes of David Cronenberg (Crimes of the Future, The Fly), Julia Ducournau (Titane, Raw) and John Carpenter (The Thing, Prince of Darkness), among others. The Substance has been described as "spectacular and revolting" and "a diabolically delightful B movie that brings laughs, thrills and blood… lots and lots of blood," we may have another strong entry to the genre on our hands.
Interested? Here is everything you need to know about The Substance.
The Substance how to watch
The Substance is available to stream on Mubi or rent/buy on digital on-demand platforms.
The Substance cast
The main stars of The Substance are Demi Moore as Elizabeth Sparkle, Margaret Qualley as Sue and Dennis Quaid as Harvey.
As we said, Moore was at the peak of her stardom in the 1990s, starring in the likes of Ghost, A Few Good Men and Indecent Proposal. While she has continued working pretty steadily since then, she hasn't led as many high-profile projects in a while, which is what makes The Substance an exciting prospect for her as the movie generates buzz. In addition to the movie, 2024 has also seen her star in the limited series Feud: Capote vs the Swans.
On the flip side, Qualley has been a rising star in recent years, starring in The Leftovers, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Maid and, most recently, Drive-Away Dolls. The Substance is actually the second movie she had premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, the other being Yorgos Lanthimos' Kinds of Kindness.
Quaid is a long-time Hollywood veteran, known for things like The Right Stuff, The Rookie, Far From Heaven and The Parent Trap. Like his co-stars, he's been busy recently, as since 2023 he has appeared in On a Wing and a Prayer, Full Circle, Strays, The Hill, The Long Game and Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
Other members of The Substance cast include Hugo Diego Garcia, Joseph Balderrama, Oscar Lesage, Gore Abrams and Matthew Géczy.
The Substance plot
An original script by Fargeat, here is the synopsis for The Substance, a little different than your typical synopsis:
“Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?
You. Only better in every way.
Seriously.
You've got to try this new product. It's called The Substance.
IT CHANGED MY LIFE.
“It generates another you.
A new, younger, more beautiful, more perfect, you.
And there's only one rule: You share time.
One week for you. One week for the new you.
Seven days each. A perfect balance.
Easy. Right?
If you respect the balance… what could possibly go wrong?"
The Substance trailer
The official trailers for The Substance are now online. Watch it directly below:
Also check out an official clip from the movie right here:
The Substance reviews
Read WTW's The Substance review to find out why we think it is one of the best movies of the year (thought definitely something you need to know what you're getting into).
We're not the only ones who've enjoyed the movie. The Substance is "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 90%.
The Substance awards
Get a round-up of all the major awards and nominations that The Substance has earned to date:
Golden Globes
- Best Motion Picture Comedy/Musical (nominee)
- Best Actress Comedy/Musical — Demi Moore (nominee)
- Best Supporting Actress — Margaret Qualley (nominee)
- Best Director — Coralie Fargeat (nominee)
- Best Screenplay — Coralie Fargeat (nominee)
Cannes Film Festival
- Palme d'or (nominee)
- Best Screenplay — Coralie Fargeat (winner)
Critics Choice Awards
- Best Picture (nominee)
- Best Actress — Demi Moore (nominee)
- Best Supporting Actress — Margaret Qualley (nominee)
- Best Director — Coralie Fargeat (nominee)
- Best Original Screenplay — Coralie Fargeat (nominee)
- Best Hair and Makeup (nominee)
- Best Visual Effects (nominee)
Gotham Awards
- Outstanding Lead Performance — Demi Moore (nominee)
Independent Spirit Awards
- Best Feature (nominee)
- Best Lead Performance — Demi Moore (nominee)
London Critics Circle Film Awards
- Film of the Year (nominee)
- Director of the Year — Coralie Fargeat (nominee)
- Actress of the Year — Demi Moore (nominee)
- Supporting Actress of the Year — Margaret Qualley (nominee)
- Screenwriter of the Year — Coralie Fargeat (nominee)
- Technical Achievement Award — Makeup (nominee)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association
- Best Leading Performance — Demi Moore (runner-up)
Toronto International Film Festival
- People's Choice Award — Midnight Madness (winner)
Coralie Fargeat movies
The Substance is Fargeat's second feature-length movie, following her 2017 movie Revenge, which also received strong reviews. Her other major credit so far in her career is directing an episode of Netflix's The Sandman.
