The trend of transforming beloved children's stories into horror films continues, but The Ugly Stepsister stands out by offering a thoughtful twist on its source material. This Norwegian body horror film, inspired by the Brothers Grimm's version of Cinderella, delves into the darker aspects of the tale. While many horror adaptations of Disney stories lean heavily on shock value and nostalgia, The Ugly Stepsister explores the concept of suffering for beauty in a way that's both graphic and thought-provoking.
The film has made waves, with Variety noting a vomiting incident at its Sundance premiere, underscoring its intense nature. Critics have lauded it, with a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. IGN's Katie Rife emphasized the film's visceral impact, stating, "A strong stomach is non-negotiable... as The Ugly Stepsister takes the concept of suffering for beauty to graphic, nauseating extremes."
For those eager to test their own limits, 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 streaming service dedicated to horror that starts at just $7.50 per month and offers a 7-day free trial. Shudder is also included in AMC+ memberships. Alternatively, if you prefer not to commit to another subscription, you can rent or purchase the film through digital platforms like Prime Video.
The movie's transition to streaming platforms comes shortly after its U.S. theatrical release and nearly five months after its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Notably, The Ugly Stepsister enjoyed a successful theatrical run in Norway before reaching North American audiences, showcasing strong performance for 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's Cinderella, not the Disney adaptation. According to IGN, the film "depicts 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 drawn comparisons to last year's The Substance. The 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 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