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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe first official trailer for Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance sells transformation as an irresistible upgrade—“You. Only better in every way.”—then makes that promise feel frightening. The 2024 body-horror film follows former television star Elisabeth Sparkle as she uses a mysterious drug to become her younger self, Sue. Its central question is not simply what youth might offer, but what it costs when a culture treats women’s bodies as projects to improve.
What does the first trailer show?
MUBI published the official trailer on August 16, 2024, under the title “THE SUBSTANCE | Official Trailer | In Theaters September 20.” Its invitation—“Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?”—sets up a glossy promise before the tagline sharpens it: “You. Only better in every way.” The film’s premise turns that sales pitch into a source of dread: improvement comes through a transformation with strict terms, and the trailer frames the bargain as body horror rather than a wish fulfilled.
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| 1 |
![The Substance [Blu-Ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ACQd6fnBL._SL160_.jpg)
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The Substance [Blu-Ray] | $8.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![The Substance 4K UHD+BD [Blu-ray] [Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AHxCQfoWL._SL160_.jpg)
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The Substance 4K UHD+BD [Blu-ray] [Region Free] | $32.58 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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The Substance Blu-ray | Demi Moore | Region B (Australia) | $29.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Navy Seals (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) | $39.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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ワールドトリガー 3rdシーズン Blu-ray VOL.1 | $178.04 | Buy on Amazon |
The trailer’s promotional language is useful shorthand for the film’s tension. “Better” sounds like an uncomplicated goal, but the story places that ideal inside a world that judges women by youth and appearance. The result is a satire of toxic beauty culture whose allure and unease are bound together.
Who stars, and what is the transformation rule?
Demi Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a former star fired from her fitness television show. Margaret Qualley plays Sue, the younger version she becomes through the mysterious drug; Dennis Quaid is also named among the stars in MUBI’s trailer announcement. The distributor synopsis says Elisabeth and Sue must alternate, spending one week in each body. That rule makes the transformation more than a one-time makeover: the promise of a new self comes with a schedule and a constraint.
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Why is the transformation beautiful and terrifying?
Fargeat has described The Substance as a film about the destruction of women’s bodies as a way to break free from constraints that have long demanded control and restraint. In a Le Monde interview, she said women’s bodies are at the heart of the film and called nudity important to its argument. Those comments help explain why the trailer’s images of bodily change are not just effects or shock tactics: they sit inside a critique of who gets to look, who is looked at, and what women are expected to do to remain visible.
The fitness-show background reinforces that theme. Fargeat has connected the setting to Jane Fonda and the way fitness could help keep an actress in the spotlight. Elisabeth’s professional world therefore makes the demand for a more marketable body part of the story’s machinery, rather than an unrelated backdrop.
Rank #2
- 4K UHD+BLU-RAY
What kind of film is it, and what content guidance applies?
The film is presented as visceral body horror and a satire of toxic beauty culture. Variance Films lists it as rated R for strong bloody violent content, gore, graphic nudity, and language. Apple TV’s US listing uses a 17+ rating, so viewers should check the rating and advisories shown in their own region or service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When was the film released, and where can you watch it?
Working Title Films lists a September 20, 2024 theatrical release date. MUBI’s trailer campaign named September 19 and 20 openings for the US, UK, Latin America, Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands, while describing Turkey, India, and other territories as “Coming soon.” Those are historical theatrical campaign dates, not a statement of current availability.
Rank #3
MUBI Notebook announced that the film would stream exclusively on MUBI in Latin America beginning October 31, 2024. That dated regional announcement does not establish where it is streaming now. Check the current catalog for your country before choosing a service. Apple TV lists the title as a 2024 horror and science-fiction film with a runtime of 2 hours 21 minutes; its availability and language options can vary by region.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Sources
- MUBI’s official trailer post (August 16, 2024)
- Working Title Films: The Substance
- Variance Films: The Substance
- MUBI Notebook: Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance and the body as spectacle
- Apple TV listing for The Substance
- Le Monde interview with Coralie Fargeat
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
