It's an intriguing trend to transform beloved Disney stories into horror films. While many such movies capitalize on shock value and nostalgia, The Ugly Stepsister stands out by offering a profound critique of its original narrative. This Norwegian body horror film draws from the Cinderella tale, a fitting choice for the genre compared to other adaptations like Winnie the Pooh.
The film doesn't shy away from being gruesome, with Variety reporting a vomiting incident during its premiere at Sundance. It has earned a remarkable 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 to test your endurance, 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 horror-centric streaming service starting at $7.50/month, which also offers a 7-day free trial. Shudder is included in AMC+ subscriptions as well. If you're not keen on another subscription, you can rent or purchase the film from digital platforms like Prime Video.
The film transitioned to streaming less than a month after its U.S. theatrical release, which followed nearly five months after its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It also premiered in Norway a month before reaching North American audiences, indicating a solid theatrical run for an independent horror film.
What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?
The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) is inspired by 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." The film's 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 is the debut feature film 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
