How to view ‘The Substance’ at a glance:

BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION
Rent ‘The Substance’ digitally
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HBO Max Basic for students
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“Have you ever envisioned an enhanced version of yourself?” This is the inquiry posed by The Substance, Coralie Fargeat’s second feature, recipient of the Best Screenplay accolade at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and a contender for Best Picture at the 2025 Oscars. Even though it’s been available on Mubi for a year, this unsettling body horror film is expanding its streaming reach this autumn.

The film, a satire on Hollywood ageism, features Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, and the favorable buzz has turned it into an unexpected success. Whether you haven’t experienced it yet or want to watch it again during this eerie season, here’s a summary of everything you need to know about watching The Substance from home and online, including streaming availability and the best deals to save money.

What is The Substance about?

The Substance depicts Moore in the role of Elisabeth Sparkle, a retired star who loses her fitness TV show gig due to the unpardonable sin of aging. Struggling against relentless Hollywood ageism, she discovers a novel drug called “the Substance.” One injection is sufficient for Elisabeth to transform into the stunning and youthful Sue (Margaret Qualley), who then embarks on her own journey through Hollywood.

Naturally, there’s always a drawback. The Substance requires her to alternate between her two identities; Elisabeth must spend precisely seven days as herself followed by seven days as Sue. When she disrupts this equilibrium, the consequences become…gruesome.

View the official trailer:

Is The Substance worth watching?

The Substance has emerged as the most profitable box office release for the arthouse distributor and streamer Mubi. This audacious and bloody film generated significant buzz, earning a 74 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics’ rating is even more impressive at a remarkable 89 percent.

“Boldly gruesome, wickedly intelligent, and possibly Demi Moore’s greatest performance, The Substance is an astonishing work from writer-director Coralie Fargeat,” the critics consensus states on Rotten Tomatoes.

Although Mashable’s reviewer expressed less enthusiasm, claiming that the “horror sci-fi premise of The Substance feels unfinished,” the majority of reviews are exceedingly favorable. The film even secured a nomination for Best Picture at the 2025 Academy Awards.

Just a heads-up, numerous viewers may find themselves squirming in their seats due to the extensive bloodshed and gore. It is, after all, a body horror film.

How can I watch The Substance at home?

Buy or rent digitally

The Substance debuted on digital platforms on Oct. 31, 2024, which means it’s available for purchase at video-on-demand retailers like Prime Video and Apple TV+ for $19.99. The film can also be rented for just $5.99. For rentals, you’ll have 30 days to start viewing, but only 48 hours once you begin.

Here are some quick links to buy the film digitally:

Prime Video — $19.99 to buy, $5.99 to rent
Apple TV+ — $19.99 to buy, $5.99 to rent
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — $19.99 to buy, $5.99 to rent

Stream it on Mubi or HBO Max

Being a Mubi original film, Mubi has been the exclusive streaming platform for The Substance since its release on Oct. 31, 2024. While Mubi is certainly a valuable subscription for film enthusiasts, it isn’t typically part of most people’s streaming rosters. Therefore, we were excited to learn that the movie has recently come to a new streaming service as of Oct. 10, 2025: HBO Max. This Halloween season, the campy body horror treasure is finally accessible to a broader viewership.

Mubi subscriptions start at $14.99 per month, while HBO