2024’s Academy Award-Winning Horror Masterpiece Finds a New Streaming Home

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A highly discussed horror film from the past year has a new place where you can watch it. The Substance, which came out in 2024 and stars Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley in memorable roles, will be available on HBO Max starting October 10th. This is part of the streaming service’s seasonal update for Halloween and the spooky season.

The Substance is a strange but fascinating horror film centering around a fading Hollywood actress. As Elisabeth Sparkle approaches her 50th birthday, she begins to lose her vitality. She’s let go from her exercise TV program because she’s considered too old to continue. Following a terrible car crash, Elisabeth is presented with a potential fix: an innovative product called the Substance, advertised as a miraculous serum promising to rejuvenate her appearance. The only catch? She must strictly adhere to all the instructions. As the (bizarre) Rotten Tomatoes synopsis explains:

Ever wished you could be a better version of yourself? Imagine being improved in every way. You should check out this new product, it’s called The Substance. IT CHANGED MY LIFE. With The Substance, you can essentially create another you – younger, more attractive, and more perfect. The catch? You have to share time – live as one version for a week, then switch to the other. A perfect seven-day split… Seems simple, right? As long as you maintain that balance… What could possibly go wrong?

Despite being considered one of the most significant horror films of the past ten years, the movie faced difficulties during production and distribution. Director Coralie Fargeat clashed with Universal Pictures after early screenings led the studio to request edits. Fargeat resisted these requests (she originally had the right to final cut approval) and, as a result, Universal chose not to distribute the film.

The film was ultimately acquired by Mubi in a surprising distribution agreement. Despite not having a cast of famous actors, it was a big hit when it came out, earning more than $82 million worldwide. It’s now the highest-grossing film ever distributed by Mubi, and it gained recognition as an Oscar possibility, becoming the platform’s most well-known film.

‘The Substance’ Marks a Defining Moment in Contemporary Horror


Mubi

What sets The Substance apart is its unusual blend of commercial success, positive reviews, and award nominations-something rarely seen with horror movies, which often get ignored during awards season. In early 2024, it became a major talking point when the Academy Awards nominations were announced, receiving a total of five. Four of these were in prominent categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Original Screenplay. Ultimately, the film won the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Demi Moore’s loss in the Best Actress category to Mikey Madison of Anora remains a debated topic that horror fans love to discuss at length and with enthusiasm.

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2025-10-05 18:43