The Substance (2024)
A fading star's quest for youth becomes a darkly comedic, surreal body horror nightmare.
A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
How intense is The Substance?
The Substance is mildly scary, with extreme gore and strong violence. Emotionally it is heavy. The pace is brisk, and it is a full-attention watch and a late-night trip. The humor runs dark and absurdist. Rated R.
What The Substance feels like
- Tone
- satiricaldarkly comicgrittysurrealcampy
- Pace
- Brisk
- Humor
- dark and satirical, absurdist
- Best for
- Full attentionLate night
Where to stream The Substance
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 13, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is The Substance for you?
Is The Substance scary?
Only a little. The Substance has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.
Is The Substance gory or violent?
Extreme gore (3 of 3) and strong violence (2 of 3). If graphic gore is a dealbreaker, skip it.
Is The Substance sad or heavy?
It is emotionally heavy (2 of 3). Expect it to land.
Is The Substance OK for kids?
It is rated R, so it is made for adults. Intensity: scare 1, gore 3, violence 2, each out of 3.
How long is The Substance?
The Substance runs 2h 21m.
Where can I stream The Substance?
The Substance is streaming on Max.
Does The Substance have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
It leaves the ending open to interpretation.
Cast and crew
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