It's an intriguing trend to see horror movies emerging from stories that were once given the Disney treatment. While many such films lean heavily into shock horror, exploiting the nostalgia of beloved childhood characters, The Ugly Stepsister offers a surprisingly profound take on its source material. This Norwegian body horror film, inspired by the Cinderella tale, feels like a natural fit for the genre, unlike more unconventional choices like Winnie the Pooh.
Despite its deeper themes, The Ugly Stepsister doesn't shy away from the grotesque. Variety reported a vomit incident at its Sundance premiere, underscoring its visceral impact. The film boasts a stellar 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with IGN's Katie Rife noting, "A strong stomach is non-negotiable... as The Ugly Stepsister takes the concept of suffering for beauty to graphic, nauseating extremes."
Curious to test your own limits? The Ugly Stepsister is now available for home viewing.
How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online
The Ugly Stepsister
You can stream The Ugly Stepsister on Shudder, a horror-focused streaming service starting at $7.50/month, which also offers a 7-day free trial. Shudder is included in AMC+ memberships as well. For those not keen on additional subscriptions, you can rent or buy the movie on digital platforms like Prime Video.
The film transitioned to streaming less than a month after its U.S. theatrical release, following its initial premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It also debuted in Norway a month before reaching North American audiences, marking a solid 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 version of Cinderella, not the Disney adaptation. According to IGN, "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’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 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
