"Ugly Stepsister: Cinderella Horror Now Streaming"

The trend of transforming beloved childhood stories into horror films has taken a fascinating turn with the release of The Ugly Stepsister, a Norwegian body horror movie inspired by the Cinderella tale. Unlike many films in this genre that rely heavily on shock value and nostalgia, The Ugly Stepsister offers a profound commentary on its source material, delving into the dark themes of beauty and suffering.

The film has garnered significant attention, not just for its thematic depth but also for its visceral impact. At its Sundance premiere, Variety reported an incident where a viewer was so overwhelmed by the movie's graphic content that they vomited. Critics have praised the film, with it currently holding a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. IGN's Katie Rife noted, "A strong stomach is non-negotiable... as The Ugly Stepsister takes the concept of suffering for beauty to graphic, nauseating extremes."

For those curious about their tolerance for such intense content, The Ugly Stepsister is now available for streaming at home.

How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online

### The Ugly Stepsister

You can watch The Ugly Stepsister on Shudder, a horror-focused streaming service that starts at $7.50/month and offers a 7-day free trial. Shudder is also included in AMC+ memberships. If you prefer not to subscribe, the film is available to rent or buy on digital platforms like Prime Video.

The movie's transition to streaming comes less than a month after its U.S. theatrical release, but nearly five months after 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 (Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws inspiration from the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella. According to IGN's review, the film "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 has drawn comparisons to 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 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