It's become a trend to transform beloved Disney stories into horror films, often leaning into shock value and nostalgia. However, The Ugly Stepsister, a Norwegian body horror film inspired by Cinderella, offers a deeper commentary on its source material. Unlike adaptations like Winnie the Pooh, Cinderella seems a more fitting choice for the horror genre.

The film doesn't shy away from graphic content; Variety reported a vomiting incident at its Sundance premiere. With a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, critics like Katie Rife from IGN have praised it, noting, "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, The Ugly Stepsister is now available to watch at home.

How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online

### The Ugly Stepsister

You can stream The Ugly Stepsister on Shudder, a horror-centric streaming service starting at $7.50/month, which includes a 7-day free trial. Shudder is also part of AMC+ memberships. Alternatively, if you prefer not to subscribe, the movie is available to rent or buy on platforms like Prime Video.

The film's transition to streaming comes shortly after its U.S. theatrical release and nearly five months post its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The Ugly Stepsister also debuted in Norway a month before its North American release, 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 from the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella, not 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." Its focus on body horror and 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 directorial debut of Emilie Blichfeldt. The film features the following actors:

• 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