The trend of transforming beloved children's stories into horror films has taken a fascinating turn with "The Ugly Stepsister," a Norwegian body horror movie inspired by the classic Cinderella tale. Unlike many entries in this genre that primarily rely on shock value and nostalgia, "The Ugly Stepsister" offers a thought-provoking commentary on its source material. This film delves into the darker themes of beauty and suffering, presenting a narrative that resonates on a deeper level.
At its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, "The Ugly Stepsister" made headlines for its intense scenes, with Variety reporting a viewer vomiting during the screening. Despite the visceral reactions, the film has been critically acclaimed, boasting a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. IGN critic Katie Rife praised the film, 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 about their own tolerance for such intense content, "The Ugly Stepsister" is now available for home viewing.
### The Ugly Stepsister
You can stream "The Ugly Stepsister" on Shudder, a premier horror streaming service that starts at just $7.50 per month and offers a 7-day free trial. Shudder's extensive library is also accessible through an AMC+ subscription. For viewers not looking to commit to another service, 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, and nearly five months following its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It also premiered in Norway a month before reaching North American audiences, showcasing a successful run for an independent horror film.
"The Ugly Stepsister" (known as Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws its inspiration from the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella, not the Disney adaptation. According to IGN's review, the film "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 invited comparisons to the previous year's "The Substance." The official synopsis of "The Ugly Stepsister" reads:
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.
Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt in her debut feature, "The Ugly Stepsister" features a talented cast bringing the story to life:
LATEST ARTICLES 09
2026-02
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5th. While it's designed for on-the-go play, Nintendo officially states its battery lasts a minimum of just "2 hours" during intensive gaming sessions. That's adequate for a morning commute, but for long flights
Author: ChristianReading:1
08
2026-02
Monster Hunter Wilds brings a wealth of changes, fresh features, and quality-of-life upgrades to the series. However, it may surprise you to learn that the groundwork for this massive new installment was laid during Monster Hunter World's crossover c
Author: ChristianReading:1
08
2026-02
Ready or Not, the tactical first-person shooter by VOID Interactive, is facing review bombing on Steam. This backlash stems from modifications made to the game to facilitate its release on consoles.In a statement on Steam, VOID explained that adjustm
Author: ChristianReading:1
23
2026-01
Bose has launched an exciting back-to-school promotion exclusively through its official eBay store. For a limited time, apply coupon code REFURB10 to receive an additional 10% off all certified refurbished Bose headphones, earbuds, soundbars, and por
Author: ChristianReading:7
