"Ugly Stepsister: A Cinematic Twist on Cinderella Now Streaming"

It's an intriguing trend to see beloved childhood stories transformed into horror films, and The Ugly Stepsister stands out as a compelling example. Unlike many films that merely exploit nostalgia, this Norwegian body horror movie offers a thought-provoking take on the Cinderella tale. While the choice of Cinderella as a source material may seem more fitting for horror than, say, Winnie the Pooh, The Ugly Stepsister still delivers a truly unsettling experience. Reports from Variety mention a vomit incident at its Sundance premiere, underscoring its visceral impact. With a remarkable 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, critic Katie Rife of IGN praised it, 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, 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 platform, starting at $7.50 per month, which also offers a 7-day free trial. Shudder is included in AMC+ subscriptions as well. If you prefer not to commit to another subscription, the film is available to rent or purchase on digital platforms like Prime Video.

The movie's transition to streaming is swift, coming less than a month after its U.S. theatrical release, though it premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival nearly five months ago. It also reached Norwegian audiences a month before hitting North America, indicating a solid theatrical run for an indie horror film.

What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?

The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws its inspiration from the Brothers Grimm's version of Cinderella, not the Disney adaptation. According to IGN's review, "The Ugly Stepsister 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 invites comparisons to last year's The Substance. The film's official synopsis 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.

The Ugly Stepsister Cast and Characters

The Ugly Stepsister marks the feature film debut 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