There's perhaps no greater sign of how the Oscars have changed in recent years than the fact that The Substance has managed to secure a nomination in the Best Picture category.
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Although for our money it's very much worthy of its inclusion on the list – indeed we named it the fourth best film of 2024 – the idea of a gruesome body horror like this one appearing in the nominations list would have been almost unthinkable not so long ago.
Its Best Picture nod is, therefore, cause for great celebration, especially when we consider that writer/director Coralie Fargeat also got a nomination in the Best Director category, and that Demi Moore's superb performance is currently considered the frontrunner for Best Actress – especially after her win at the Golden Globe Awards.
But with so much buzz around the film, how is it available to watch in the UK right now? Is it available to stream and, if so, on which platforms?
Read on for everything you need to know about how to watch The Substance.
How to watch The Substance – is it streaming?
Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley in The Substance. Mubi
It is! The Substance is currently available to subscribers on Mubi.
For those who don't have a Mubi subscription, you can still watch the film by renting or buying it on a number of different platforms, including Amazon Video, Sky Store and Apple TV.
The film was originally released in UK cinemas on 20th September 2024.
What is The Substance about?
The Substance centres on Demi Moore's Elisabeth Sparkle, a Hollywood star whose celebrity has faded in recent years. When she is fired from her long-running aerobic TV show by her producer, who considers her too old, she uses a drug which creates another, younger version of herself.
However, she must switch back into her older body every seven days - or else terrible side effects will ensue.
The Substance cast – who stars in the film?
Margaret Qualley in The Substance. Mubi
The cast of The Substance is led by Demi Moore (Ghost), who won a Golden Globe Award for her role in the film.
She is joined by Margaret Qualley (Poor Things) and Dennis Quaid (Lawmen: Bass Reeves) in the central cast, while other actors who appear include Edward Hamilton and Gore Abrams.
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
Patrick Cremona is the Senior Film Writer at Radio Times, and looks after all the latest film releases both in cinemas and on streaming. He has been with the website since October 2019, and in that time has interviewed a host of big name stars and reviewed a diverse range of movies.
