It's an intriguing trend to transform beloved childhood tales into horror films. While many such movies lean heavily on nostalgia for shock value, The Ugly Stepsister stands out by offering a profound commentary on its original story. This Norwegian body horror film, inspired by the Cinderella tale, delves deeper into the genre than some other adaptations, like the surprising horror take on Winnie the Pooh.

Despite its thoughtful approach, The Ugly Stepsister doesn't shy away from the grotesque. At its Sundance premiere, the film reportedly caused a viewer to vomit, as noted by Variety. It boasts an impressive 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with IGN's Katie Rife praising its intensity: "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 testing your endurance, you can now watch The Ugly Stepsister from the comfort of your home.

How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online

### The Ugly Stepsister

• See it at Shudder
• See it at Prime Video

The Ugly Stepsister is currently streaming on Shudder, a horror-centric service starting at $7.50/month with a 7-day free trial. Shudder's content is also included in AMC+ memberships. For those not looking to commit to another subscription, the film is available to rent or purchase on digital platforms like Prime Video.

The transition to streaming occurred less than a month after its U.S. theatrical release, and nearly five months following its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Before reaching North American audiences, The Ugly Stepsister premiered in Norway, marking a notable run for an independent horror film.

What's The Ugly Stepsister About?

The Ugly Stepsister (known as Den stygge stesøsteren in Norway) draws inspiration from the Brothers Grimm's version of Cinderella, rather than Disney's. IGN's review highlights the film's intense portrayal of cosmetic surgery, stating, "The Ugly Stepsister depicts crude and agonizing cosmetic-surgery procedures that – believe it or not – are not that far off from historical reality." The film's mix of body horror and commentary on beauty standards has drawn comparisons to last year's The Substance. Here is the official synopsis:

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 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