The script of The Substance is a haunting, visceral exploration of beauty, identity, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Coralie Fargeat crafts a narrative that blends psychological horror with biting social commentary, exposing the brutal reality of an industry obsessed with youth and reinvention. Through sharp, unsettling dialogue, the film dissects the pressure to remain relevant, the loss of self in the face of manufactured success, and the terrifying consequences of chasing an impossible ideal. The contrast between media-driven adoration and personal despair makes The Substance a chilling and thought-provoking experience, forcing the audience to question the cost of transformation—and what happens when the line between self and spectacle dissolves.

Quotes from the movie The substance by Coralie Fargeat (2024) with Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid.

We love you Elisabeth!

You got it!

Think about those bikini bods.
You wanna look like a giant jellyfish on the beach?

I hope I see you next week for Sparkle Your Life.

But in the meantime, take care of yourself.

Look, I’ll make it simple.
We need her young.
We need her hot.
We need her now.

I don’t give a fuck what we promised her!
This is network TV, not a fucking charity.
Find me somebody new!

It’s like when you see someone fart on screen.
People just love that.
I mean, that’s just the way it is.

– And people always ask for something new.
Renewal… is inevitable.
And at 50… well… it stops.
– What stops?

– There’s just one last exam to perform.
– I thought he said I was good to go.
– Is there a problem?
– No, it’s perfect. You’re a good candidate. I mean, you’re good to go.

You’re still the most beautiful girl in the whole wide world.

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.
And 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.

Great dancer.
Too bad her boobs aren’t in the middle of her face instead of that nose.

Looks like everything sure is in the right place this time.

I’m Sue.

We want a show that’s just like you.
Beautiful and happy.
People want to be happy.

I want you for this show.
And we will work around any mother, brother, fucking sick puppy you need to take care of.

Gorgeous, with a pure heart. People are gonna love that.

I’m actually… quite handy.
If you ever need… need me to be of aid in any way.
I got a sack of tools, and… I got a big hammer.
You know what I mean.

Hi everybody.
I’m Sue.
And it’s time to pump it up!

What has been used on one side is lost on the other side.
There’s no going back.

Remember, there is no she and you.
You are one.
Respect the balance.
And you won’t have any more inconveniences.

You know, pump it up.
You’ve got to pump it up.
You know, pump it up.
You’ve got to pump it up.

I was just curious to find out how things were going for you.
Each time, you feel a little more… lonely.

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!

Has she started yet?
Eating away at you?

Circle those hips.
Circle those hips.
Contract, contract, contract.
Contract, contract, contract.
Head between your legs!

The director said he saw something bizarre on the monitor.

This balance is not working!
I barely have any time to enjoy myself.
While she wastes seven days, stuffing her face in front of the TV!

It’s phenomenal! People love you! They adore you!
They want more and more and more of you.
That is why we have decided that we want you to host the New Year’s Eve show.

The network’s biggest show. 50 million viewers.
Live. You can’t go higher than that!

If you don’t open the door when opportunity knocks you won’t get another chance. You of all people know this.

Just one more day, okay?

– Will it go back to the way it was before?
– What has been transferred won’t come back. But you can stop the experience as of now.

Would you like to stop?
To go back to being just you, on your own?

I can’t stop.

– I’m just a girl from a very small town in Indiana.
I’m sure that you’ve never heard of it.
In fact, it’s not even a town.
I’m not sure you could really even call it a village. It’s… a farm, perhaps?
But, ever since I can remember, it has always been my dream to be on the screen.
– This is my dream.

So… everyone is aware that you replaced Elisabeth Sparkle.

I can’t really say that I actually watched her show.
You do know that we’re not exactly from the same generation.
And you have to admit it was a bit old-fashioned.
Jurassic Fitness, really.

– But my mother was a huge fan of hers.
So every morning, rain or shine,
Sparkle Your Life was on TV.
So, in a way, I grew up with her.
Whether I liked it or not.
I guess that’s why you can say we have some sort of connection.
– Some sort of connection. You wouldn’t exist without me.

Tell them who your little beauty secret is.

I guess I just try to be myself.
To be sincere and grateful for all that I have.
And to always remember to lead with my heart.

America’s sweetheart.

You’re taking it from me.
That’s your little secret.

I can’t go back inside her.
Gross, old, fat, disgusting!

Hi, this is an emergency.
There’s no more stabilizer fluid.
Hello?
It’s fucking 503.

– It’s 503, and I want to stop.
– Are you sure? Once you stop, you can’t go back.
– I wanna stop! I wanna fucking stop. I wanna stop!
– We’ll deliver.

I need you. Cause…
I hate myself.
You gotta… You gotta get ready, it’s our big, it’s our big night.

You’re the only lovable part of me, you have to come back. You have to come back!

Let me introduce you to the shareholders.
They have been dying to meet you.
Is everything… okay?
So, smile!
It’s what we want tonight!
Pretty girls should always smile.

Please give me a better version of myself, please. Please!

This is where you belong,
and you’ll always belong here.
We can’t do it without you.
We could never do it without you.
You’re irreplaceable.

You will not be disappointed.
She’s my most beautiful creation.
I have shaped her for success.

I’m so happy to be with you tonight.
I’ve missed you all so much!

The monster!

Shoot the monster!

It’s a freak!

It’s me!
Just me.

At 50 it stops.

So beautiful!
We love you!
You’re irreplaceable!