Horror adaptations of classic Disney stories have become an undeniable trend. While most capitalize on childhood nostalgia with cheap shocks, The Ugly Stepsister delivers surprising thematic depth alongside its visceral terror. This Norwegian body horror film draws from Cinderella's darker Grimm roots, proving far more thematically suitable for horror than, say, Winnie the Pooh.

True to genre expectations, the film features stomach-churning imagery – Variety reported actual vomiting during its Sundance premiere. Holding a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score, IGN critic Katie Rife warns: "Viewer discretion is mandatory... The Ugly Stepsister graphically illustrates the grotesque extremes of beauty obsession."

For those brave enough to test their limits, The Ugly Stepsister is now available for home viewing.

How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online

The Ugly Stepsister

Stream on Shudder | Rent/Buy on Prime Video

This disturbing fairy tale adaptation currently streams on Shudder, the horror-centric platform starting at $7.50/month with a 7-day trial. AMC+ subscribers also gain access to Shudder's catalog. Digital rentals/purchases are available through Prime Video and other platforms.

The streaming debut comes merely weeks after its U.S. theatrical run, though Norway saw the film months earlier following its January 2025 Sundance premiere. For an indie horror production, The Ugly Stepsister enjoyed remarkable cinema exposure.

What's The Ugly Stepsister About?

Retitled Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian, this reinterpretation draws from the original Grimm tale rather than Disney's version. As noted in IGN's review, "The film's brutal cosmetic sequences, while extreme, reflect historical beauty practices." Its fusion of body horror with societal pressures draws natural comparisons to The Substance. The official synopsis reads:

Obsessed with surpassing her beautiful stepsister, Elvira undergoes grotesque transformations in this nightmarish Cinderella reimagining.

The Ugly Stepsister Cast

Marking Emilie Blichfeldt's feature directorial debut, the film stars:

Lea Myren as Elvira
Thea Sofie Loch Næss as Agnes
Ane Dahl Torp as Stepmother Rebekka
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