The trend of transforming beloved fairy tales into horror films has seen a unique addition with "The Ugly Stepsister," a Norwegian body horror movie that reimagines the classic Cinderella story. Unlike other movies in this genre that primarily capitalize on nostalgia, "The Ugly Stepsister" offers a profound critique of its source material. The film delves into the darker themes of beauty and suffering, taking the concept to graphic and nauseating levels, as noted by critic Katie Rife in her IGN review, who emphasized that "a strong stomach is non-negotiable."
The movie has garnered significant attention, highlighted by a reported vomit incident at its Sundance premiere and a high 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. If you're curious to test your endurance, "The Ugly Stepsister" is now available for streaming at home.
How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online
The Ugly Stepsister
You can stream "The Ugly Stepsister" on Shudder, a horror-focused streaming platform that offers a 7-day free trial and starts at $7.50/month. Shudder is also included in AMC+ memberships. For those not interested in another subscription, the film is available to rent or purchase on digital marketplaces like Prime Video.
The film's transition to streaming platforms occurred less than a month after its U.S. theater release, following its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and a subsequent debut in Norway. For an independent horror movie, "The Ugly Stepsister" enjoyed a notable theatrical run.
What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?
"The Ugly Stepsister" (Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws inspiration from the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella. The film explores the extreme lengths to which Elvira goes to outshine her beautiful stepsister, using graphic depictions of cosmetic surgery to highlight the brutal realities of beauty standards. IGN's review suggests that these portrayals, while shocking, are not far from historical practices. The film's approach has been compared to the previous year's "The Substance" due to its blend of body horror and commentary on beauty ideals. 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
