In a trend that's becoming more common, horror movies are now being crafted from stories that were once given the Disney treatment. While many in this genre lean heavily into shock horror, leveraging the nostalgia of beloved childhood characters, *The Ugly Stepsister* stands out with its thoughtful critique of its source material. This Norwegian body horror film, inspired by the Cinderella tale, delves deeper into horror territory than adaptations like *Winnie the Pooh* might.
The film doesn't shy away from its gruesome nature, as evidenced by reports of audience members vomiting during its Sundance premiere. Yet, it has garnered critical acclaim, boasting a 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 about whether your stomach can handle this intense experience, you can now watch *The Ugly Stepsister* from the comfort of your home.
How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online
The Ugly Stepsister
- See it at Shudder
- See it at Prime Video
The Ugly Stepsister is now available to stream on Shudder, a streaming platform dedicated to horror that offers plans starting at $7.50/month, with a 7-day free trial. Shudder is also included in AMC+ memberships. For those not looking to add another subscription, the film can be rented or purchased on digital marketplaces such as 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. The Ugly Stepsister also premiered in Norway a month before reaching North American audiences, highlighting a commendable theatrical run for an independent horror movie.
What's The Ugly Stepsister About?
The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws its inspiration from the Brothers Grimm's version of Cinderella, rather than the Disney adaptation. According to IGN's review, the movie "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 with societal beauty standards has drawn comparisons to last year's The Substance. Here's the official synopsis of The Ugly Stepsister:
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 the following cast:
- 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
