In recent years, there has been a fascinating trend of transforming classic fairy tales into horror films, a genre that often capitalizes on the nostalgia associated with beloved childhood stories. The Norwegian film, The Ugly Stepsister, stands out as a compelling reinterpretation of the Cinderella tale. Unlike other films in this trend that might lean heavily on shock value, The Ugly Stepsister offers a thought-provoking commentary on its source material.
This movie, directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, delves into the realm of body horror, a genre that seems fitting for the dark undertones of Cinderella. As reported by Variety, the film was so intense that it caused a viewer to vomit during its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Critics have praised it, with The Ugly Stepsister earning a remarkable 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. IGN's Katie Rife noted, "A strong stomach is non-negotiable... as The Ugly Stepsister takes the concept of suffering for beauty to graphic, nauseating extremes."
For those curious about their tolerance for such visceral content, The Ugly Stepsister is now available for home viewing.
How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online
### The Ugly Stepsister
You can stream The Ugly Stepsister on Shudder, a premier horror-focused streaming platform. Shudder offers a subscription starting at $7.50 per month and includes a 7-day free trial. Additionally, Shudder's content is available through an AMC+ membership. If you prefer not to commit to another subscription, the film is also available to rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Prime Video.
The transition to streaming services occurred swiftly, less than a month after its theatrical release in the U.S., and nearly five months following its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The Ugly Stepsister premiered in Norway a month before its North American release, highlighting its successful run as an independent horror film.
What's The Ugly Stepsister About?
The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws its inspiration from the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella, rather than the Disney adaptation. The film explores the dark side of beauty standards through graphic depictions of cosmetic surgery, as noted by IGN: "The Ugly Stepsister depicts crude and agonizing cosmetic-surgery procedures that – believe it or not – are not that far off from historical reality." This approach has drawn comparisons to the previous year's The Substance. Here is the official synopsis:
Determined to outshine her beautiful stepsister, Elvira resorts to extreme measures to win the prince's heart in this dark re-imagining of the Cinderella fairy tale.
The Ugly Stepsister Cast and Characters
The Ugly Stepsister marks the feature film debut of writer-director Emilie Blichfeldt. The film boasts a talented cast, including:
- Lea Myren as Elvira
- Thea Sofie Loch Næss as Agnes
- Ane Dahl Torp as Rebekka, the stepmother
- Flo Fagerli as Alma
- Isac Calmroth as Prince Julian
- Malte Gårdinger as Isak
- Ralph Carlsson as Otto
- Isac Aspberg as The Feinschmecker
- Albin Weidenbladh as The Omnivorous
- Oksana Czerkasyna as Cook
- Katarzyna Herman as Madame Vanja
- Adam Lundgren as Dr. Esthétique
- Willy Ramnek Petri as Frederik von Bluckfish
- Cecilia Forss as Sophie von Kronenberg
