It's become a trend to transform beloved fairy tales into horror films, tapping into the nostalgia of childhood favorites. However, The Ugly Stepsister stands out as a thoughtful reinterpretation of its source material, the classic Cinderella story. This Norwegian body horror film delves deeper than typical shock horror, offering a poignant commentary on beauty standards and the lengths to which one might go to achieve them. While the film's connection to Cinderella might seem more fitting for horror than other Disney-inspired stories like Winnie the Pooh, it still delivers the gruesome elements expected of the genre.
The film has been notably visceral, with Variety reporting a vomiting incident at its Sundance premiere. It currently boasts an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. IGN's critic, Katie Rife, praised the film, stating, "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 intense 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 horror-focused streaming platform that starts at $7.50 per month and offers a 7-day free trial. Shudder is also included in AMC+ subscriptions. For those not interested in additional subscriptions, the film is available to rent or purchase on digital platforms like Prime Video.
The transition to streaming came less than a month after its U.S. theater release and almost five months following its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The Ugly Stepsister also debuted in Norway a month before reaching North American audiences, marking a successful run for an independent horror film.
What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?
The Ugly Stepsister (known as Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws inspiration from the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella, not the Disney adaptation. IGN's review highlights the film's focus on "crude and agonizing cosmetic-surgery procedures that – believe it or not – are not that far off from historical reality." This blend of body horror and commentary on beauty standards has invited comparisons to last year's The Substance. The film's official synopsis reads:
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 is the debut feature film 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
