The Substance cast features Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle as Sue, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid as Harvey. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Coralie Fargeat’s 2024 Mubi movie. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

The Substance centers on an aging Hollywood movie star named Elisabeth Sparkle. When the protagonist loses a TV gig for an aerobics show, she tries to reinvent herself by injecting a black market product known as The Substance. The narrative follows Elisabeth as she clashes with a younger version of herself named Sue. Here’s every actor and character in The Substance.

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The Substance Cast: Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle

Character Profile: A Hollywood movie star. She worries about her future while hosting a TV show and dealing with male executives. Elisabeth consumes a serum that allows her to embody a younger version of herself.

Moore’s Resume: Molly Jensen in Ghost (1990), Diana Murphy in Indecent Proposal (1993), Jordan O’Neill in G.I. Jane (1997), Madison Lee in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003), Ann Woodward in Feud (2024)

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The Substance Cast: Margaret Qualley as Sue

Character Profile: Sue’s clone. She develops a promising TV career while feeding on Elisabeth aka The Matrix. Sue and her host experience body horror and a strange bond while strategizing against each other.

Qualley’s Resume: Jill Garvey in The Leftovers (2014-17), Pussycat in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Ann Reinking in Fosse/Verdon (2019), Alex Russell in Maid (2021), Felicity in Poor Things (2023)

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The Substance Cast: Dennis Quaid as Harvey

Character Profile: A ratings-hungry TV executive. He makes disparaging statements to Elisabeth about her age. Harvey hires Sue to host a morning aerobics-themed show on television.

Quaid’s Resume: Gordon Cooper in The Right Stuff (1983), Frank Sullivan in Frequency (2000), Frank Whitaker in Far from Heaven (2002), Jack Hall in The Day After Tomorrow (2004), Sherrill Lynn in Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023-)

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The Substance cast also includes:

• Edward Hamilton Clark as Fred
• Gore Abrams as Oliver
• Oscar Lesage as Troy
• Christian Erickson as Man at Diner
• Robin Greer as Male Nurse
• Tom Morton as Doctor
• Hugo Diego Garcia as Diego — Boyfriend
• Daniel Knight as Casting Director
• Jonathon Carley as Assistant Casting Director
• Jiselle Henderkott as Girl Auditioning/Dancer — New Year’s Eve Show

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.