The Best Horror Movie of 2024 Streams on HBO Max Tomorrow, Oct. 10
Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?

No horror movie last year made a bigger splash than The Substance. The prescient body horror flick was a commentary on beauty standards and addiction. Critically and commercial successful, The Substance was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Now, the movie is finally streaming on a major streaming service — it hits HBO Max tomorrow, October 10th.
The Substance follows an aging Hollywood star, Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore in a career-defining role), who decides to take an experimental injectable in order to appear younger and more beautiful. At first Elisabeth is thrilled with the results. However, after experiencing side effects which permanently lower her quality of life Elisabeth has to choose between accepting her appearance and quitting the substance — or losing herself completely.
Here’s the trailer:
While The Substance isn’t necessarily scary, its effects are gnarly. There are copious amounts of blood in the film’s third act (think: Carrie) and the mangled body seen in the photo up top. This movie is for anyone interested in feminist horror, commentary on aging and beauty, lovers of practical effects and people who want to see a horror movie that is unlike anything they’ve ever seen.
The Substance streams on HBO Max on Oct. 10.
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