So, uh, have you seen The Substance? Well, a lot of people have checked out the quasi-viral body horror satire since it came out on September 18th. And it makes sense.
The over-the-top nature of the film has led to some early quasi-viralness, with its description as a gross-out feminist film intriguing many potential theater-goers. (It’s got pretty darn good reviews, too.)
The Substance, which stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid, centers around the idea of self-transformation, youth, and body image as an aerobics celebrity (Moore) hits the milestone of her 50th birthday. The titular “substance” could allow her to become a younger, more beautiful version of herself.
The Substance inspires the "took the substance" meme
Most importantly, the film has also inspired the production of the greatest substance of all: memes, with the running gag of a figure who “took the substance” a main feature.
Let’s take a look at some of the best, most Substant-ial material to hit the socials.
He took the substance pic.twitter.com/FCtnbBlEZ4
— throwbacks (@solelynostalgia) September 30, 2024
She took the substance pic.twitter.com/YhVqXZFNGR
— FancyAndGrand (@jake_my_day) September 30, 2024
james murphy took The Substance and this happened https://t.co/rmYaH2n8SY
— Mo (@edgarallan_mo) September 29, 2024
Michael Jackson after taking the substance: https://t.co/Hy2IKI8zWW
— anna stesia ♱ (@slutfortomford) October 2, 2024
He took the substance pic.twitter.com/fbVmAEguqN
— I Think You Should Affirm ?? (@youshouldaffirm) October 1, 2024
Sarah Squirm takes The Substance (2024) to become Sarah Sherman ? pic.twitter.com/2Jfd0klGfB
— SARAH SQUIRM (@SarahSquirm) October 4, 2024
Guys I think he took The Substance pic.twitter.com/GdmtkiqnbA
— Liam ? (@LiamGaughan98) September 29, 2024
She took The Substance pic.twitter.com/aOO8eBFLpe
— Katya (@katya_zamo) September 30, 2024
he took the substance pic.twitter.com/y8ZoEhh1yo
— terror (@imterrorble) October 1, 2024
he took The Substance pic.twitter.com/MkcRicVvxU
— thucksgiving (@TylerHuckabee) September 30, 2024
This is looks like he took The Substance https://t.co/3eSTURroQD
— Christian Becker (@TheAmazingBeck) October 1, 2024
She took The Substance... pic.twitter.com/RpFfBQJJaR
— Mark O’Donovan (@mrmarkodonovan) October 2, 2024
omg the moon took the substance https://t.co/xMRey4nTrr
— toni collette stan account (@HarryPhillips15) September 30, 2024
They took The Substance https://t.co/s8PBgaYTHD
— Jordan Pack (@jordanpackitup) October 2, 2024
jimmy neutron if he took the substance idk i haven’t seen the movie pic.twitter.com/yPLbjWHXUl
— jez (@weltgroan) October 2, 2024
he took the substance https://t.co/C3xTwJkAe6
— zach (@zachbreechen) October 4, 2024
Social media reacts to The Substance
And don't worry—there's plenty of other discussion and memes online that are not related to the "took the substance" meme. Here's a look:


I made #TheSubstance my text tone. @coraliefargeat pic.twitter.com/5yjFP0gwUP
— Andy (@BoldCinema) September 28, 2024
I have a working theory that Ellen DeGeneres is using the substance to become Jojo Siwa
— broiled (@broiledcrawfish) September 28, 2024
Every shot of Dennis Quaid in the substance looks like this pic.twitter.com/bkKVP0a2Dr
— 7/11 Truther (@DaveMcNamee3000) September 29, 2024
Elisabeth Sparkle after Sue played in her face so nasty https://t.co/GywTVt1tW3
— Roo ☁️ (@mspiggyhairgif) October 3, 2024
just saw the substance pic.twitter.com/loVssRsuWm
— yalitza apariciosus (@dunevillenuve) September 25, 2024
just got out of the substance… pic.twitter.com/FPEjYRAOo6
— madison (@madisonripIey) September 24, 2024
the substance (2024) dir. coralie fargeat pic.twitter.com/EnFNRE8dRF
— Jake (@phinsjake) September 27, 2024
This scene was one of the 3 most nauseating moments in an entire movie centered around body horror and it’s just Dennis Quaid eating shrimp https://t.co/RgJytGrnfA
— Will Mavity (@mavericksmovies) September 28, 2024
Oh THIS is how you pull focus. Take notes, divas. https://t.co/Ebl0c6hfVM
— bobbi loves vampires ❤️ (@hiimbobbi) October 4, 2024
Ok let’s go ? pic.twitter.com/CwGFADbkFV
— Adam Ellis (@adamtotscomix) October 3, 2024
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