Film Screening 21st February, 2025

The Substance 

7:30 PM, 21st February, 2025

  • R
  • 140 mins
  • 2024
  • Coralie Fargeat
  • Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid, Edward Hamilton Clark

After being fired from her job on her 50th birthday, ageing actress Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) is lured into a Faustian bargain involving a secret drug that gruesomely creates a younger version of herself (Margaret Qualley) for a week at a time – as long as strict rules are followed. As the exchange between her older and younger selves becomes more perilous, the consequences of the drug's use spiral into a nightmare of body horror and psychological terror.

Directed by Coralie Fargeat, this satirical thriller blends bloody, wince-inducing effects with a sharp, metatextual commentary on vanity and self-destruction. While Qualley and a manic Dennis Quaid offer strong support, make no mistake: The Substance is Moore’s show, and she delivers an awards-worthy performance that is her best in decades.

Nominated for 5 Oscars in 2025, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress (Moore).