The Ugly Stepsister – Movie Review (3/5)

THE UGLY STEPSISTER is a new Horror Fairytale. The story is familiar, but the focus is new this time around. A new take on Cinderella, and not just the horror makes it unsuitable for kids to watch. Read our full The Ugly Stepsister movie review!

THE UGLY STEPSISTER is a new horror movie based on the iconic Cinderella fairytale. In that sense, this movie is a horror fairytale of a very well-known story, but told from the point of view of the ugly stepsister.

This is a movie from Norway, which also means a more relaxed approach to keeping this very real and showing the darker (as well as completely natural) side of human nature. The runtime is 1 hour and 50 minutes, which is a little too long, but not by much.

Continue reading our The Ugly Stepsister movie review below. Find it in theaters from April 18, 2025, and on Shudder later.

Romance meets necessity

With The Ugly Stepsister, we’re getting a title character who still believes in fairytales and romance. In fact, she dreams of finding true love and is a very kind and loving girl. Of course, the world will soon make her realize that necessity trumps romance.

The actual name of the title character is Elvira, and not only does she want to marry the prince, but her family desperately needs her to. And if not a prince, then whoever else has money and is willing to take her as a bride.

In either case, it will require a lot from Elvira if she is to have a chance at winning the prince’s affection. Fortunately for Elvira’s mom, this sweet girl will do whatever it takes. In the fictitious kingdom of Swelandia, beauty is a brutal business, and pain is a part of it.

We see Elvira evolve via brutal beauty “procedures” that borderline on torture. All while her new stepsister, Agnes, who will later go by the more familiar name “Cinderella”, is also part of the competition for the affection of the prince.

People are horrible

Being poor and female has always been dangerous, but in the world of The Ugly Stepsister, it’s even more full of pain and heartbreak. People are absolutely horrible and care very little for the girls who are just trying to find their way in life.

At the same time, any man born into even a little money can act terribly, and there are no consequences. Some things never change, and that’s what makes fairy tales so timeless. And often also part horror story.

As the title character of The Ugly Stepsister, Elvira, we have Lea Myren. She undergoes quite a transformation in this movie. Including losing faith in humanity in many ways. As Agnes (later Cinderella), we have Thea Sofie Loch Næss (La Palma).

I expected to enjoy this movie while being horrified, but ultimately, I both liked it more than expected and was horrified in ways I never anticipated.

Watch The Ugly Stepsister in theaters

This horror fairytale is the feature film debut of writer and director Emilie Blichfeldt. She goes further and is more intense with the storytelling than I ever expected. Admittedly, I liked it. I didn’t always enjoy it, as it gets quite brutal and explicit, but I applaud it wildly.

I cannot wait to see what Emilie Blichfeldt does next, and hopefully, this movie will open lots of doors for her.

I am, however, also very certain that it will make many people “clutch their pearls”. Certain scenes (if they’re allowed to remain in the movie for all screenings) will shock. This sinister twist on the classic Cinderella story is as relevant as ever.

Do check it out if you think you can handle it, and you’re ready to take in the story.

The Ugly Stepsister is out in theaters on April 18, 2025. It’s released by IFC Films and Shudder, which, yes, does mean it will be out on Shudder later.

Details

Written and Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt
Starring Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp