In recent years, there's been a growing trend of transforming classic tales into horror movies, often capitalizing on the nostalgia of beloved childhood stories. However, The Ugly Stepsister stands out by offering a deeper commentary on its source material. This Norwegian body horror film, inspired by the Brothers Grimm's version of Cinderella, delves into the darker aspects of beauty and societal expectations.

The film has made waves for its intense and graphic content, with Variety reporting a viewer's vomiting incident during its Sundance premiere. Despite its shocking nature, The Ugly Stepsister has received widespread critical acclaim, boasting a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. IGN critic Katie Rife praised the movie, stating, "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 tolerance for horror, 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 premier horror streaming service. Shudder offers a subscription starting at $7.50 per month, with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. Additionally, Shudder is included in AMC+ memberships. For those not looking to commit to another subscription, the film is also available to rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Prime Video.

The movie's transition to streaming services comes swiftly, less than a month after its theatrical release in the U.S., and approximately five months following its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Before reaching North American audiences, The Ugly Stepsister premiered in Norway, showcasing a robust theatrical run for an independent horror film.

What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?

The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) reimagines the Cinderella fairy tale with a dark twist. The film focuses on Elvira, who goes to extreme lengths to outshine her beautiful stepsister and capture the prince's heart. According to IGN's review, the movie graphically portrays cosmetic surgery procedures, reflecting historical realities and drawing parallels to last year's The Substance. The official synopsis encapsulates the film's theme:

"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 film debut of writer-director Emilie Blichfeldt. The film features a talented 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