The trend of transforming classic fairy tales into horror movies has taken a new turn with "The Ugly Stepsister," a Norwegian body horror film inspired by the Cinderella story. Unlike other adaptations that primarily focus on shock value and nostalgia, this film offers a deeper commentary on its source material, exploring themes of beauty and suffering.
"The Ugly Stepsister" has stirred significant reactions, with Variety reporting a vomit incident at its Sundance premiere. The film currently boasts a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with IGN critic Katie Rife describing it as, "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 about testing 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 premier streaming service dedicated to horror content. Shudder offers plans starting at $7.50 per month, and new subscribers can enjoy a 7-day free trial. The film is also available as part of an AMC+ membership. For those not looking to add another subscription, "The Ugly Stepsister" is available to rent or purchase on digital platforms like Prime Video.
The movie made its transition to streaming 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 theaters, indicating a solid run for an independent horror film.
What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?
"The Ugly Stepsister" (known as Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws its inspiration from the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella rather than the Disney adaptation. IGN's review highlights the film's focus on "crude and agonizing cosmetic-surgery procedures that – believe it or not – are not that far off from historical reality." This unique blend of body horror and societal beauty standards draws parallels to the previous 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