I’m not ready to watch The Substance but you can now stream it at home

Some real sick stuff, or so I hear. The Substance is now available to purchase or rent through digital services like Apple TV. 

Brodie Fogg
Nov 07, 2024
Icon Time To Read2 min read
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I’m a big horror fan. I like my horror every which way. Supernatural, slasher, existential. Whatever gets the blood pumping. But my manager is an even bigger horror fan. Joe isn't just drawn to horror like I am, he's a proper connoisseurs.

I’m not the squeamish type. While I don’t get much gratification from series like Saw, a bit of blood and guts won’t keep me up at night. I can even stomach a bit of Cronenberg (both generations.) But when Joe recommended The Substance through gritted teeth, I thought, that's got to be pretty messed up if Joe is cringeing at the thought of it. I just don't know if I have the stomach for that right now. 

So, despite rave reviews from everyone I know who has seen it, I still haven’t watched The Substance. I might, one day. But probably only after researching every second of the plot online to know what I’m in for.

When that time comes, The Substance will likely be streaming on a few of the major players, like Prime Video or Netflix. But in the meantime, if you want to avoid watching The Substance online, like me, you should steer clear of Apple TV and Amazon. 


How to watch The Substance in Australia

Available to rent or purchase through Apple TV and Amazon.

The Substance might be still showing at select theatres but the breakout horror flick is already available to rent or purchase digitally on Apple TV and Amazon. Given it's popularity, one of the major streamers might pick it up at some stage too but Mubi, the company that actually distributed it across the UK and the US, will likely have first dibs. 

Provider
Price
More info
$19.99
$24.99
$19.99
$24.99
Deals

Stream for free tonight with these trials

Looking for something new to stream tonight? These services offer free trials so you won’t pay a cent unless you decide to keep subscribed once your trial’s up.

What is The Substance about?

Demi Moore or less.

The Substance was a surprise hit when it premiered at Sydney Film Festival in 2024. Its vague marketing campaign and interesting choice in casting Demi Moore drew a huge crowd and continues to lure unwitting Australians to cinema seats across the company. Word also quickly spread about just how damn twisted The Substance is, with comparisons drawn to the godfather of body horror David Cronenberg. 

In The Substance, Demi Moore plays an ageing Hollywood celebrity known as Elizabeth Sparkle who is fired from her gig on a long-running aerobics TV show. When Sparkle is hospitalised after a car crash, a nurse comes to her with a shady proposition: The Substance, a black market injection that promises to regenerate the user's youth. It's an offer to good to refuse but like all things that seem too good to be true, taking The Substance comes with a few grotesque caveats. 

Compare streaming services


While The Substance isn't currently available on a streaming video-on-demand service, it will eventually be available on Mubi. Mubi isn't your typical streaming service. Rather than being focused on building a huge content library, Mubi curates a handful of classic and contemporary films around a particular theme (be it genre, director, actor etc.) It costs $14.99 per month and comes with a free 7-day trial - students can also get a discounted monthly plan at $8.99 per month. 

Service
Details
Monthly price
More info
Binge LogoBinge Standard plan
4K streaming
2 streams
Deal: 7-day free trial
$19/mth
Foxtel Now | 2022 logo | Reviews.org AustraliaFoxtel Now Starter Bundle
HD streaming
2 streams
Access to over 35 channels
Deal: 10-day free trial
$35/mth
Apple TV+Apple TV+ plan
4K streaming
6 streams (Family Sharing)
Deal: 7-day free trial
$12.99/mth
Disney PlusDisney+ Standard plan
HD streaming
2 streams
Deal: $139.99 for 12mths
$13.99/mth
BritBoxBritbox plan
HD streaming
5 streams
Deal: 7-day free trial
$9.99/mth
NetflixNetflix Standard + Ads
HD streaming
2 streams
$7.99/mth
StanStan Basic plan
SD streaming
1 stream
$12/mth
Paramount+Paramount+ Basic with ads
HD streaming
1 stream
Ads: Yes
$6.99/mth
Kayo SportsKayo One Plan
HD streaming
1 stream
Deal: 7-day free trial
$25/mth
ShudderShudder plan
HD streaming
1 stream
Deal: 7-day free trial
$6.99/mth
Disney PlusDisney+ Premium plan
4K streaming
4 streams
Deal: $179.99 for 12mths
$17.99/mth
Paramount+Paramount+ Standard
HD streaming
2 streams
Ads: No
$9.99/mth
Paramount+Paramount+ Premium
4K/HDR streaming
4 streams
Ads: No
$13.99/mth
NetflixNetflix Standard
HD streaming
2 streams
$18.99/mth
Rev Streaming
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Brodie Fogg
Written by
Brodie Fogg is the Australian editorial lead at Reviews.org. He has covered consumer tech, telecommunications, video games, streaming and entertainment for over five years at websites like WhistleOut and Finder and can be found sharing streaming recommendations at 7NEWS every month.

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