Social media has erupted with commentary after fans noticed a startlingly similar premise between a new Disney+ thriller starring Ashton Kutcher and a recent film featuring his ex-wife, Demi Moore.
A Tale of Two Serums
The new series, titled The Beauty, is the latest project from prolific producer Ryan Murphy. Set to premiere on Thursday, January 22 on Disney Plus, the show plunges into the cutthroat worlds of high fashion and immense wealth. Kutcher plays a tech billionaire who has secretly engineered a miracle drug that promises effortless, stunning beauty.
However, eagle-eyed viewers were quick to draw parallels upon the trailer's release this week. The premise bears a striking resemblance to the 2024 body horror film The Substance, which starred Demi Moore. In that critically acclaimed movie, Moore portrays a fading actress who uses a mysterious green serum to transform into a younger version of herself, played by Margaret Qualley.
Online Reaction and 'Diabolical' Comparisons
The comparison was instantaneous in the comments section of the official trailer on Instagram. One user, Andrea, pointedly wrote: "The Substance with Demi Moore, and now her ex in a similar story…"
Others were less subtle. User Nicole quipped: "It’s pretty diabolical that Demi Moore’s ex is in a rip off of her Oscar worthy movie lol." Another commenter, Alex, simply stated: "So, a rip off of The Substance." Many fans expressed their observations by posting GIFs of Demi Moore from the 2024 film.
It is noted that The Beauty is officially based on the comic book series by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, but the surface-level similarities have dominated the initial conversation.
Grim Consequences and Star-Studded Cast
In both narratives, the pursuit of perfection comes with a horrific price. In The Beauty, the superdrug's dark side emerges as the world's top models begin dying in gruesome, Final Destination-style accidents. This draws the attention of the FBI, with agents played by Ryan Murphy regular Evan Peters and Rebecca Hall.
Their investigation reveals the "jab" is a form of sexually transmitted disease, leading them directly to Kutcher's billionaire character.
The series boasts an impressive roster of guest stars, including models Bella Hadid and Amelia Gray Hamlin, actors Ben Platt, Billy Eichner, Isabella Rossellini, and Peter Gallagher, as well as singers Meghan Trainor and Nicola Peltz Beckham. The production is also set across glamorous international locations like Paris, Venice, Rome, and New York.
The first three episodes of The Beauty arrive on Disney+ on January 22, 2026, where audiences will decide if the similarities are merely superficial or run deeper into the plot.
