"Ugly Stepsister: A Cinderella Horror Film Now Streaming"

It's an intriguing trend to transform beloved children's stories into horror films, and "The Ugly Stepsister" is a standout in this genre. Unlike many films that simply capitalize on nostalgia, this Norwegian body horror movie offers a profound reflection on its source material, Cinderella. The film delves into darker themes, making it a more fitting adaptation for horror than some other fairy tales like Winnie the Pooh.

"The Ugly Stepsister" is known for its graphic and disturbing content. At its Sundance premiere, the movie reportedly caused a viewer to vomit, as noted by Variety. The film has earned a remarkable 95% 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 to test your own limits, 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 service that starts at $7.50 per month and offers a 7-day free trial. Shudder is also included with AMC+ memberships. If you prefer not to subscribe, the film is available to rent or buy on digital platforms like Prime Video.

The movie became available for streaming less than a month after its U.S. theatrical release, and almost five months following its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It also premiered in Norway a month before reaching North American audiences, indicating a successful run for an independent horror film.

What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?

"The Ugly Stepsister" (or Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws its inspiration from the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella, rather than the Disney adaptation. 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." This mix of body horror and commentary on beauty standards has led to comparisons with last year's "The Substance." The 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 ElviraThea Sofie Loch Næss as AgnesAne Dahl Torp as Rebekka, the stepmotherFlo Fagerli as AlmaIsac Calmroth as Prince JulianMalte Gårdinger as IsakRalph Carlsson as OttoIsac Aspberg as The FeinschmeckerAlbin Weidenbladh as The OmnivorousOksana Czerkasyna as CookKatarzyna Herman as Madame VanjaAdam Lundgren as Dr. EsthétiqueWilly Ramnek Petri as Frederik von BluckfishCecilia Forss as Sophie von Kronenberg