The Substance Cast, Release Date, Wiki and More

The Substance is a 2024 body horror film written and directed by Coralie Fargeat. The film examines themes of aging, identity, and society’s obsession with youth and beauty. With a stellar cast, it blends horror, drama, and social commentary into a gripping cinematic experience. Here’s the detailed list of the cast and their roles:

Table of Contents

Demi Moore

As: Elisabeth Sparkle
Role: Moore stars as Elisabeth, a 50-year-old former TV aerobics star who turns to an experimental black-market drug to regain her youth. Her performance earned widespread acclaim, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress.

Margaret Qualley

As: Sue
Role: Qualley portrays Sue, a younger clone of Elisabeth created by the experimental substance. Her performance delves into themes of identity and autonomy.

Dennis Quaid

As: Harvey
Role:Quaid plays Harvey, Elisabeth’s producer who drops her due to her age, setting the events of the film in motion. His role symbolizes society’s obsession with youth and beauty.

Supporting Cast

Edward Hamilton-Clark as Fred
Hamilton-Clark adds depth as Fred, a character whose interactions with Elisabeth and Sue contribute to the story’s exploration of personal identity.
Gore Abrams as Oliver
Abrams plays Oliver, whose character provides moral and ethical challenges to the narrative.
Oscar Lesage as Troy
Lesage portrays Troy, another figure in Elisabeth’s life who helps illuminate her internal struggles.
Christian Erickson as Man at Diner
Erickson’s small but impactful role serves as a commentary on societal perceptions of beauty and age.
Robin Greer as Male Nurse
Greer’s character ties into the film’s exploration of medical ethics and the consequences of altering appearances.
Tom Morton as Doctor
Morton plays a doctor involved in the experimental procedures, adding tension and ethical dilemmas.
Hugo Diego Garcia as Diego – Boyfriend
Garcia’s Diego offers an intimate perspective on the consequences of Elisabeth’s decisions in her personal life.
Daniel Knight as Casting Director
Knight’s role underscores the entertainment industry’s fixation on youth and perfection.
Jonathon Carley as Assistant Casting Director
Carley complements Knight’s role, representing the industry’s complicity in perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards.
Ellen Rausch as Lab Technician
Rausch plays a key role in the creation of the experimental substance that changes Elisabeth’s life.
Sebastian Kovacs as Corporate Executive
Kovacs represents the corporate greed fueling the unethical experiments.
Frances McNeil as Elisabeth’s Sister
McNeil provides a familial perspective, adding emotional depth to Elisabeth’s struggle.
Clara Lim as Journalist
Lim’s character brings an external lens to the events, questioning the societal values that drive Elisabeth’s decisions.
Tyler Vanders as Young Elisabeth
Vanders portrays Elisabeth in flashbacks, illustrating the pressures she faced early in her career.
Evan Karpov as Laboratory Assistant
Karpov’s role highlights the behind-the-scenes scientific processes that lead to the film’s central conflict.