It's become a trend to transform familiar fairy tales into horror films, often capitalizing on the nostalgia of beloved childhood stories. Among these, The Ugly Stepsister stands out as a profound reinterpretation of the Cinderella narrative. This Norwegian body horror film delves into themes that resonate far beyond mere shock value, making it a unique addition to the genre. While other adaptations, like those of Winnie the Pooh, may seem less fitting for horror, The Ugly Stepsister feels naturally aligned with its dark subject matter.
The film doesn't shy away from its gruesome elements, with reports from Variety noting a vomit incident at its Sundance premiere. It boasts an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with IGN's 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 resilience, you can now watch The Ugly Stepsister from the comfort of your home.
How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online
### The Ugly Stepsister
Stream it on Shudder or rent/buy on Prime Video. The Ugly Stepsister is currently streaming on Shudder, a horror-focused platform with a starting subscription of $7.50/month and a 7-day free trial. Shudder's content is also available through AMC+ memberships. For those not interested in additional subscriptions, the film is available for rent or purchase on digital marketplaces like Prime Video.
The move to streaming follows a brief theatrical run in the U.S., which came nearly five months after its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The movie also premiered in Norway a month before reaching North American audiences, indicating a successful run 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 version of Cinderella, not the Disney adaptation. IGN's review highlights the film's graphic portrayal of cosmetic surgery, stating, "The Ugly Stepsister depicts crude and agonizing cosmetic-surgery procedures that – believe it or not – are not that far off from historical reality." The film's exploration of body horror intertwined with societal beauty standards has drawn comparisons to last year's The Substance. Here's 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 features 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
