"Ugly Stepsister: Cinderella-Inspired Horror Now Streaming"

It's an ongoing trend to transform beloved children's stories into horror movies, tapping into the nostalgia of familiar characters. While many such films focus purely on shock value, The Ugly Stepsister stands out as a thoughtful critique of its source material. This Norwegian body horror film, inspired by the Cinderella tale, delves deeper into the genre than more unconventional adaptations like Winnie the Pooh.

Despite its meaningful commentary, The Ugly Stepsister doesn't shy away from being disturbingly graphic. Variety reported a vomiting incident at its Sundance premiere, highlighting its visceral impact. The film boasts an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with IGN's critic Katie Rife 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 about whether you can handle its intensity, you're in luck—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 horror-focused streaming service that offers plans starting at $7.50 per month, with a 7-day free trial. Shudder is also 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 comes swiftly, less than a month after its U.S. theatrical release, though it premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival nearly five months earlier. It also enjoyed a theatrical run in Norway before reaching North American audiences, showcasing a commendable distribution strategy for an independent horror film.

What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?

The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws from the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella. According to IGN, "The Ugly Stepsister depicts crude and agonizing cosmetic-surgery procedures that – believe it or not – are not that far off from historical reality." Its thematic exploration of body horror and beauty standards has drawn comparisons to the previous year's The Substance. The official synopsis describes the film as follows:

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