In the world of horror cinema, a trend has emerged where beloved childhood tales receive a terrifying twist. While many of these films lean heavily into shock value, capitalizing on the nostalgia of familiar characters, "The Ugly Stepsister" stands out as a thought-provoking reinterpretation of its source material. This Norwegian body horror film draws its inspiration from the Cinderella story, which might seem more fitting for the genre than other fairy tales like Winnie the Pooh.
Despite its deeper commentary, "The Ugly Stepsister" doesn't shy away from its horror roots. The film garnered attention at its Sundance premiere, where Variety reported an audience member vomiting due to the intensity of the scenes. It has earned a stellar 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. IGN's critic Katie Rife noted, "A strong stomach is non-negotiable... as The Ugly Stepsister takes the concept of suffering for beauty to graphic, nauseating extremes."
If you're curious to test your own limits, you can now watch "The Ugly Stepsister" from the comfort of your home.
How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online
The Ugly Stepsister
You can stream "The Ugly Stepsister" on Shudder, a horror-focused streaming service that starts at $7.50 per month and offers a 7-day free trial. Shudder is also included with an AMC+ membership. If you prefer not to commit to another subscription, the film is available to rent or buy on digital platforms like Prime Video.
The transition to streaming services happened less than a month after its U.S. theatrical release, but nearly five months following its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. "The Ugly Stepsister" also premiered in Norway a month before reaching North American audiences. For an independent horror movie, it has enjoyed a commendable theatrical run.
What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?
"The Ugly Stepsister," or "Den stygge stesøsteren" in its original Norwegian, is inspired by the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella, not the Disney adaptation. According to IGN's review, "The Ugly Stepsister 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." 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
