Think You Can Stomach The 'Substance'? Where to Stream and What to Expect

If you’re in the mood for something dark, bold, and downright unsettling, The Substance might be your next watch. Directed and written by Coralie Fargeat, the film stars Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley in a twisted exploration of beauty, aging, and our desperate attempts to hold on to youth.

The movie dropped on digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu on October 31, 2024, right in time for a Halloween binge. But if you want to stream it, there’s a catch — it’s currently exclusive to Mubi, either directly or through the Mubi channel on Prime Video (which comes with a 7-day trial if you’re not ready to commit).

At 141 minutes long, this is no quick scare. And speaking of scares, it’s worth noting The Substance leans heavily into body horror and graphic gore. Fans say it’s more disturbing and stomach-churning than traditionally scary, full of surgical visuals and creeping dread that gets under your skin — literally and metaphorically.

Wondering about the backstory? Fargeat didn’t just direct; she also co-wrote, co-produced, and co-edited the film, really making it her own. Though set in Los Angeles, it was actually filmed in France — with Cote d’Azur beaches and Epinay Studios standing in for California.

As for Japan or Netflix release dates? Nothing official yet, so it’s likely international fans will catch it via the same VOD platform.