Film

Direction: Coralie Fargeat

with Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid

UK, USA, France 2024, 140', FSK 16, English with German subtitles,

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Tickets:

  • DF: German version
  • OV: Original version without subtitles
  • OMU: Original version with German subtitles
  • OMEU: Original version with English subtitles
To the overall program

The Substance

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Demi Moore plays the former Hollywood star Elisabeth Sparkle, now relegated to presenting a workout show, though at least it’s a stable job. But ratings are everything, and when sleazy TV exec Harvey (Dennis Quaid) decides that new blood – or fresh meat – is needed, Elisabeth turns to a mysterious medical procedure involving the substance. Soon there is a young and beautiful version of Elisabeth called Sue (Qualley). All that is needed for both to co-exist is a careful maintenance of the equilibrium – time has to be shared equally: Elisabeth gets one week, then Sue gets one. But when the balance is disrespected, the repercussions are both grave and irreversible.

Coralie Fargeat's feminist body horror satire won the Best Screenplay Award at this year's Cannes Film Festival.


"With her second film, Coralie Fargeat takes aim at ageism and sexism in the entertainment industry with a riotous, dreamlike horror-thriller." -Deadline