The trend of transforming beloved children's stories into horror films continues, but "The Ugly Stepsister" stands out by offering more than just shock value. This Norwegian body horror film, inspired by the Cinderella tale from the Brothers Grimm, delves deep into its source material with a meaningful commentary. Unlike adaptations such as those of Winnie the Pooh, Cinderella's story naturally lends itself to the horror genre.
"The Ugly Stepsister" is as gruesome as it is thought-provoking. At its Sundance premiere, Variety noted an incident where an audience member was sickened by the film's intensity. The movie boasts a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with IGN critic Katie Rife stating, "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 this film from the comfort of your home.
How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online
The Ugly Stepsister
Stream "The Ugly Stepsister" on Shudder, a horror-centric streaming platform, available for $7.50 per month with a 7-day free trial. Shudder is also included in AMC+ subscriptions. Alternatively, if you're not keen on adding another service, you can rent or purchase the movie on digital platforms like Prime Video.
The film's transition to streaming services occurred less than a month after its U.S. theatrical release and nearly five months following its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It also premiered in Norway a month before hitting North American screens, marking a respectable theatrical run for an independent horror movie.
What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?
Titled "Den stygge stesøsteren" in Norwegian, "The Ugly Stepsister" draws its inspiration from the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella. 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." Its exploration of body horror and societal 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
