Last night, March 2, 2025, the film industry and viewers across the world tuned in for the biggest award show of the year, the 97th Oscars. Several films ruled the awards, including The Brutalist, starring Adrein Brody. In a surprising twist this awards season, the horror film The Substance has made quite a name for itself, racking up nominations left and right.
At the Oscars, The Substance scored five impressive nominations, alongside the year’s leading films, including Wicked. Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stephanie Guillon, and Marilyne Scarselli’s work earned the film an Oscar in the “Makeup and Hair” category.
2025 Oscar Nominations:
Makeup and Hair: Winners Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stephanie Guillon, and Marilyne Scarselli
Best Picture
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Original Screenplay: Coralie Fargeat
Leading Actress: Demi Moore
The Substance has won numerous awards at film festivals and other events, including five Golden Globe nominations and a win for Best Actress. The film has been nominated over 185 times and won over 80 awards.
Demi Moore, known for her roles in films like G.I. Jane and Ghost, plays a star who goes to disturbing lengths to recapture her youth in the twisted horror movie The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, known for her brutal 2017 film Revenge.
In The Substance, Moore’s character, Elisabeth Sparkle, is a celebrity aerobics show host. Fired on her 50th birthday due to her age, Elisabeth is on a mission to be young again. Elisabeth doesn’t think twice when a mysterious scientist approaches her. Out of desperation and vanity, she accepts his offer of an experimental treatment to return her to her “younger, more beautiful, more perfect” self. However, the dream Elisabeth has been sold will soon turn into a nightmare.
The Substance‘s awards are a significant win for the genre, which has seen just 18 Oscars in the Award’s 97-year-long history. Horror films are finally beginning to get the recognition they deserve.
The Substance is streaming now on Prime Video, Mubi, and Fandango at Home.
