The Beauty Trailer Has Fans Confident It’s The Substance in Series Form
Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty has stirred online discussion ahead of its January premiere, with viewers drawing strong connections between the new series and The Substance. The trailer’s release has led many fans to suggest that The Beauty may be a small-screen version of the 2023 body horror film, though the creators have not addressed the comparisons directly.
Fans draw comparisons between The Beauty trailer and The Substance
After the trailer for Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty dropped, fans quickly compared it to the 2023 Cannes winner The Substance.
One user commented, “This storyline def seems familiar. The substance ???” Another asked, “The Substance rip-off?”, while others referenced a cinematic parallel: “Maybe it will be the Deep Impact to The Substance’s Armageddon.”
Online discussions also pointed out that The Beauty is based on a comic that predates The Substance. One user stated, “The comic this is based on predates The Substance, it’s an old concept.” Another added, “this is based on a comic book that’s older than the substance.”
The premise of The Beauty centers on a sexually transmitted virus that causes physical perfection but has lethal consequences. FX confirmed that the show is based on The Beauty, a comic by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, and will premiere January 21, 2026. The story follows two FBI agents investigating the drug and its spreading epidemic.
Further commentary on social media differentiated the themes. One user wrote, “Substance was more intimate more individual and lets you dive into how beauty standards affect the individual. This is more on the collective and a commentary on capitalism and how it feeds on people’s insecurities.” Another added, “It’s definitely Death Becomes Her and he even used the actress who gave the potion out.”
Ryan Murphy has described the show as a commentary on “Ozempic culture” and the pursuit of instant beauty through artificial means (via Variety). Evan Peters, Rebecca Hall, Ashton Kutcher, and Anthony Ramos star in the series, which began filming in New York in December 2024.
Source: Comingsoon.net