If you're a fan of horror movies that twist familiar tales into something darker, you'll appreciate the growing trend of adaptations inspired by classic Disney stories. While many in this genre lean heavily on jump scares and nostalgia, The Ugly Stepsister stands out as a thought-provoking exploration of its source material. This Norwegian body horror film draws inspiration from the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella, making it a more fitting canvas for such visceral storytelling than, say, Winnie the Pooh.
Despite its unsettling premise, the movie delivers on its promises of disgust, with reports of a shocking scene at its Sundance premiere. It currently boasts a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its graphic and nauseating portrayal of beauty standards. IGN’s Katie Rife noted, "A strong stomach is non-negotiable... as The Ugly Stepsister pushes the concept of suffering for beauty to its absolute limits."
Curious to see if your stomach can handle it? You're in luck—the film is now available for streaming.
How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online
The Ugly Stepsister
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- Shudder: Stream it on Shudder, a horror-focused platform starting at $7.50/month with a 7-day free trial. Shudder content is also available through AMC+ memberships.
- Prime Video: Rent or buy the movie from digital marketplaces like Amazon Prime Video.
The film made its streaming debut less than a month after its U.S. theatrical release but over four months after its Sundance premiere in 2025. Interestingly, it also premiered in Norway a month earlier, proving that even indie horror films can enjoy a respectable theatrical run.
What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?
Inspired by the Brothers Grimm’s Cinderella, The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren) reimagines the fairy tale with a grotesque lens. IGN described it as depicting "crude and agonizing cosmetic-surgery procedures that – believe it or not – are not that far off from historical reality." The blend of body horror and 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 writer-director Emilie Blichfeldt’s feature-length debut. 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
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