The Substance is a satirical body horror film written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. The 2024 film follows the story of Elisabeth Sparkle, a popular star renowned for an aerobics show but on her 50th birthday, she gets fired from her boss for being old. She soon finds a laboratory that offers her a drug that promises to transform her into a better and younger version of herself. The Substance stars Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley in the lead roles with Dennis Quaid, Hugo Diego Garcia, Oscar Lesage, Tiffany Hofstetter, and Alexandra Papoulias Barton starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the body horror, biting commentary, and compelling characters in The Substance here are some similar movies you should check out next.
The Neon Demon (Prime Video)
The Neon Demon is a psychological horror film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn who also co-wrote the screenplay with Mary Laws and Polly Stenham. The 2016 film follows an aspiring model who begins working with a modeling agency in Los Angeles and becomes successful. She soon becomes increasingly narcissistic and tries to tackle envious models who want to take her place. The Neon Demon stars Elle Fanning, Jena Malone, Karl Glusman, Bella Heathcote, Abbey Lee, Desmond Harrington, Christina Hendricks, and Keanu Reeves.
Requiem for a Dream (Prime Video, Pluto TV & Tubi)
Requiem for a Dream is a psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky who also co-wrote the screenplay with Hubert Selby Jr. Based on the 1978 novel of the same name by Shelby Jr., the 2000 film follows a widow who becomes obsessed with losing weight and begins taking pills to do so but she soon finds herself getting addicted to the medication. Requiem for a Dream stars Jennifer Connelly, Jared Leto, Ellen Burstyn, Marlon Wayans, Christopher McDonald, and Mark Margolis.
Titane (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video)
Titane is a body horror psychological drama film written and directed by Julia Ducournau. The 2021 film follows the story of a woman with a titanium plate fitter in her head who is overcome with murderous intent but she is forced to go on a bizarre journey where she finds the true meaning of unconditional love and identity. Titane stars Vincent Lindon, Agathe Rousselle, Garance Marillier, and Laïs Salameh.
Suspiria (Prime Video)
Suspiria is a supernatural horror film directed by Luca Guadagnino from a screenplay by David Kajganich. Based on the 1977 Italian film of the same name by Dario Argento and Daria Nicolodi, the 2018 film follows the story of an ambitious young American dancer who joins a prestigious dance company in Berlin but soon finds herself becoming a target for a dark force threatening to take over her life. Suspiria stars Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Chloë Grace Moretz, Mia Goth, and Jessica Harper.
The Elephant Man (Pluto TV & Rent on Prime Video)
The Elephant Man is a biographical drama film directed by David Lynch who also co-wrote the screenplay with Christopher De Vore and Eric Bergren. Loosely based on the life of Joseph Merrick, the 1980 film follows a Victorian surgeon who rescues a deformed man being used as a side-show freak. The surgeon finds a kind and sophisticated man under the monstrous facade. The Elephant Man stars Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, Freddie Jones, John Gielgud, and Wendy Hiller.
The Skin I Live In (Max & Rent on Prime Video)
The Skin I Live In is a Spanish thriller and melodrama film written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. Based on the 1984 novel Tarantula by Thierry Jonquet, the 2011 film follows a brilliant yet tortured plastic surgeon who invents a type of synthetic skin that is resistant to any damage. He uses a mysterious woman as his guinea pig for his invention who holds his past secrets. The Skin I Live In stars Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Marisa Paredes, Jan Cornet, and Roberto Álamo.
The Fly (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video)
The Fly is a sci-fi horror thriller film directed by David Cronenberg who also co-wrote the screenplay with Charles Edward Pogue. Based on the 1957 short story of the same name by George Langelaan, the 1986 film follows the story of a scientist who invents a teleportation machine but when he decides to test it a fly enters through the machine, and its genes get spliced with the scientist’s which turns the scientist into a grotesque creature. The Fly stars Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz, Joy Boushel, George Chuvalo, and Cronenberg.