It's an intriguing trend to transform beloved childhood stories into horror movies, often capitalizing on the shock value of twisting familiar narratives. However, "The Ugly Stepsister" distinguishes itself by offering a profound commentary on its source material, the classic Cinderella tale. This Norwegian body horror film delves into themes that resonate deeply, despite its grotesque nature. The film's premiere at Sundance was marked by a notable incident, with Variety reporting that an audience member vomited during the screening, underscoring the movie's intense impact. Critics have responded positively, with "The Ugly Stepsister" boasting an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. IGN's Katie Rife praised its boldness, stating, "A strong stomach is non-negotiable... as The Ugly Stepsister takes the concept of suffering for beauty to graphic, nauseating extremes."

For those curious to test their endurance, "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 premier destination for horror enthusiasts. Shudder offers a subscription starting at $7.50 per month, with a 7-day free trial for new users. Additionally, Shudder is included in AMC+ memberships. For those not interested in subscribing, the film is available to rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Prime Video.

The movie's transition to streaming services came swiftly, less than a month after its U.S. theatrical release, but almost five months following 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) draws inspiration from the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella, rather than the Disney adaptation. The film explores the dark side of beauty standards through excruciating cosmetic surgery scenes that, according to IGN, are disturbingly close to historical practices. It shares thematic elements with last year's "The Substance," blending body horror with a critique of societal beauty norms. 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 directorial debut of Emilie Blichfeldt. The film features a talented ensemble cast, including:

• 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