It's become a popular trend to transform classic stories into horror movies, often capitalizing on the nostalgia of childhood favorites. Yet, The Ugly Stepsister stands out by offering a profound commentary on its source material. This Norwegian body horror film draws its inspiration from the Cinderella tale, making it a more fitting candidate for the genre than other adaptations, such as Winnie the Pooh.
Despite its thoughtful approach, The Ugly Stepsister doesn't shy away from the grotesque. It caused a stir at its Sundance premiere, with reports of audience members vomiting, as noted by Variety. The film has earned a stellar 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. IGN's critic, Katie Rife, emphasized the film's intensity, stating, "A strong stomach is non-negotiable... as The Ugly Stepsister takes the concept of suffering for beauty to graphic, nauseating extremes."
Curious to test your own resilience? You can now experience The Ugly Stepsister from the comfort of your home.
How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online
The Ugly Stepsister
- Streaming on Shudder: Dive into this horror-focused streaming service, which starts at $7.50/month and includes a 7-day free trial. Shudder is also included in AMC+ memberships.
- Available on Prime Video: If you're not looking to add another subscription, you can rent or buy the film from digital marketplaces like Prime Video.
The film's transition to streaming platforms comes just under a month after its U.S. theatrical release, but nearly five months following its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It premiered in Norway a month before reaching North American viewers, indicating a successful theatrical run for an independent horror film.
What's The Ugly Stepsister About?
The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) is rooted in the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella, rather than the Disney adaptation. According to 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 fusion of body horror and critique of beauty standards has led to comparisons with last year's The Substance. Here's the film's 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 cast includes:
- 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
