How to watch The Substance

Margaret Qualley in The Substance
Margaret Qualley in The Substance (Image credit: MUBI)

Some movies defy easy explanation, some just need to be seen. Having watched The Substance, the 2024 new movie starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, for ourselves, we can say that it definitely fits into that idea. But now you have the chance to watch The Substance yourself, as the movie is now playing.

A body-horror movie from French director Coralie Fargeat, The Substance is one of the best reviewed movies of the year; something we agree with, as evidenced by our own review for The Substance. It's outrageous, gory and yet somehow surprisingly funny at the same time. 

If that sounds like something you might be interested in, read on to find out everything you need to know on how to watch The Substance right now.

How to watch The Substance in movie theaters

The Substance is now playing in movie theaters in the US, UK and elsewhere around the world. Where can you find The Substance showtimes and tickets? 

You can see if and where The Substance is playing in your area by visiting either the official movie website or Fandango. With both options you'll see all of the locations that The Substance is playing in your area as well as available showtimes. You can also purchase your tickets for the movie directly through the sites.

If you have a favorite movie theater to go to, then there's another option that not only shows you if or when a movie is playing there, but allows you to potentially save some money on a movie ticket. Movie theater subscription and membership programs are offered by many US and UK movie theater chains, allowing movie lovers to get free, discounted or monthly allotment of movie tickets, as well as deals on concessions and other perks.

Is The Substance streaming?

As of October 31, The Substance is available for digital purchase and rental via online on-demand platforms, including Prime Video, Fandango at Home and more.

As far as the movie's streaming plans, it is not available on a platform right now. However, as a Mubi movie, there's a good chance that when the movie becomes available for streaming, it will do so on Mubi's own digital platform, which requires a subscription (though a seven-day free trial is available).

We'll update this page as moret info becomes available.

What else to know about The Substance

Written and directed by Fargeat, here is the official synopsis for The Substance:

"Demi Moore gives a career-best performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, a former A-lister past her prime and drawn to the opportunity presented by a mysterious new drug. All it takes is one injection and she is reborn — temporarily — as the gorgeous, twentysomething Sue.

"The only rule? Time needs to be split: exactly one week in one body, then one week in another. No exceptions. Easy, right?"

In addition to Moore and Qualley, The Substance stars Dennis Quaid.

As of publication, the movie is "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 89%.

Get a sneak peek at it by watching The Substance trailer directly below:

THE SUBSTANCE | Official Trailer | In Theaters Now & Streaming October 31 - YouTube THE SUBSTANCE | Official Trailer | In Theaters Now & Streaming October 31 - YouTube
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Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.