# The Substance

The Substance is a 2024 American body horror film about a fading celebrity who takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
    Directed and written by Coralie Fargeat.

## The Substance

* Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself? Younger, more beautiful, more perfect. One single injection unlocks your DNA, starting a new cellular division, that will release another version of yourself. This is the Substance. You are the matrix. Everything comes from you. Everything is you. This is simply a better version of yourself. You just have to share. One week for one and one week for the other. A perfect balance of seven days each. The one and only thing not to forget: You. Are. One. You can't escape from yourself.
* What has been used on one side, is lost on the other side. There's no going back.

## Elisabeth Sparkle

* [watching Sue dismiss her career on a TV interview] Jurassic Fitness? I'll fucking show you. You wanna see some Jurassic Fitness? You want it? Come on, come get your fucking Jurassic Fitness!
* [to lifeless Sue] You're the only part of me I don't hate.
* There's been a slight misuse of the Substance.

## Sue

* Hi everybody. I'm Sue. And it's time to Pump It Up!
* [to Elisabeth] I won't be out late, so just wait for me. Don't eat too fast.
* [in a panic] I need a better version of myself. Please give me a better version of myself, please! Please! Come on!

## Monstro ElisaSue

* I'm so happy to be with you tonight. I've missed you all so much...

## Harvey

* [on the phone in the bathroom] I don't care if I see every fucking young girl in this fucking town in the next few weeks. Look, I made it simple. We need her young. We need her hot. We need her now. How the old bitch has been able to stick around for this long, that's the fucking mystery to me. Oh, Oscar winner, my ass. When was that back in the 30s? What, for King Kong? [laughs] No, I don't give a fuck what we promised her. This is network TV, not a fucking charity. Find me someone new. NOW! Hey, did you know that a woman's fertility starts to decrease by the age of 25? How old is Jennifer? Ha ha. You better get busy. [laughs as he walks out]
* [to Sue] Gorgeous. With a pure heart. People are gonna love that!
* [to the shareholders, about Sue] You will not be disappointed. She's my most beautiful creation. I have shaped her for success.
* Sue! These are the Shareholders, they are dying to meet you! Is everything okay? So SMILE! That's what we want tonight! Pretty girls should always SMILE!

## Other

* Fred: You haven't changed a bit! You're still the most beautiful girl in the whole wide world!
* Casting Director: Too bad her boobs aren't in the middle of her face instead of that nose!
* Oliver: I am actually quite handy if you ever need me to be an aid. I have got a big hammer, you know what I mean!

## Dialogue

    Elisabeth Sparkle: The balance must be respected.
    The Substance: So respect it.
    Oliver: Hey, Sue!
    Elisabeth Sparkle: FUCK OFF!
    Man at Diner: It's long, isn't it?
    Elisabeth Sparkle: Excuse me?
    Man at Diner: Seven days.
    Elisabeth Sparkle: [realizing he is also using The Substance] Did you follow me here?
    Man at Diner: I was just curious to find out how things were going for you. Each time you feel a little more lonely, don't you think?
    Elisabeth Sparkle: I don't know what you're talking about. I'm fine. Everything's fine.
    Man at Diner: It gets harder each time, to remember that you still deserve... to exist! That this part of yourself is still worth something! That you still matter!
    [Elizabeth starts to leave in fright]
    Man at Diner: Has she started yet? Eating away at you?
    Elisabeth Sparkle: You have to...
    Sue: CONTROL YOURSELF!
    Sue: [as the TV Host asks Sue what her beauty secret is] I don't know. Uh...
    Elisabeth Sparkle: Say it! Say it!
    Sue: Let me think.
    Elisabeth Sparkle: Say it! Tell them who your little beauty secret is!
    Sue: I guess...
    Elisabeth Sparkle: [undresses her housecoat] I would just show them right here. [flashes her television] Here's your little beauty secret.
    Sue: I guess I just try to be myself. To be sincere and grateful for all that I have. [as Elisabeth throws eggs at her television] And to always remember to leave with my heart.
    Monstro ElisaSue: [as the New Year's Eve special descends into chaos] Don't be scared! It's still me!
    Elisabeth Sparkle: It's me!
    Monstro ElisaSue: I'm Elisabeth! I'm Sue!

## Taglines

* Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?
* If you follow the instructions, what could go wrong?
* It'll change your life.
* You have to control yourself.

## Cast

* Demi Moore - Elisabeth Sparkle
* Margaret Qualley - Sue
* Dennis Quaid - Harvey
* Edward Hamilton Clark - Fred
* Gore Abrams - Oliver
* Oscar Lesage - Troy
* Christian Erickson - man at diner
* Robin Greer - nurse
* Tom Morton - doctor
* Hugo Diego Garcia - Diego, boyfriend
* Yann Bean - The Substance voice

## External links

* The Substance quotes at the Internet Movie Database
* Official website