Rebekka (Ane Dahl Torp) and her two daughters, Elvira (Lea Mathilde Skar-Myren) and Alma (Flo Fagerli), have just enlarged their family. Rebekka has recently remarried to secure a life of wealth and prosperity. Her new husband also brings a daughter with him, Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss). However, during their first dinner together as a new family, tragedy strikes when Rebekka’s husband unexpectedly dies, leaving her alone to care for her daughters and Agnes. To make matters worse, Rebekka discovers that her late husband was not wealthy, shattering her dreams of a prosperous life. Faced by these challenges, Rebekka must devise a new plan to find a way forward.
When Prince Julian (Isac Calmroth) announces an upcoming ball event in his castle to find a wife, Rebekka sees it as the perfect opportunity. However, when she considers her daughters, she realises it presents another big challenge. Alma is far too young for such an opportunity, leaving only Elvira. Unfortunately, Elvira is deemed unattractive, making it unlikely for any man to consider her for marriage.
Elvira deeply admires Prince Julian and cherishes his most recent book, which is filled with beautiful poetry. Driven by her passionate feelings and lustful desires, Elvira resolves to win the Prince’s heart no matter the cost. Achieving this will require a complete transformation; she needs to remove her braces, undergo various body alterations, lose weight, and learn to be elegant in all aspects, especially on the dance floor. However, Elvira is not the only one with high hopes. Not only is she competing against many other young women, but she is also competing against someone in her own home: her new stepsister, Agnes. Will Elvira succeed in her massive transformation and win the man of her dreams, along with the wealth that comes with him, or will she ultimately fail?
The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren) is a body horror, drama, and satire. Depending on your sense of humour, some moments of horror may even be seen as comedic. The film is a horror adaptation of the well-known fairy tale Cinderella, originally written by Charles Perrault in 1697. If you imagine Cinderella and The Substance attending a ballroom together, The Ugly Stepsister is exactly what you would get.
To be completely upfront, I love this film immensely. Visually, it is impressive, with stunning locations and outstanding costume design that make it feel like a period drama. The horror elements are equally impressive. There are moments of body horror that had me gripping the arms of my chair because they were realistic, gruesome, and downright uncomfortable to watch, especially when Elvira undergoes medical alterations or deals with body-related issues, all while remaining focused on her objective. The story makes a very clear statement about women, beauty and the pain and suffering, both mental and physical, that can come with the pursuit of beauty. It also points out the pressure to be beautiful in society.
I enjoy this new concept that takes the familiar Cinderella story and infuses it with elements of extreme horror, as well as focusing the story instead on the ugly stepsister, Elvira, rather than the traditional protagonist, Agnes. Elvira’s journey is filled with surprising twists, shocking reveals, and gruesome horror moments. The film builds wonderfully toward a thrilling third act, culminating in a rewarding climax before the credits roll. Despite being her first time on the big screen, Lea Mathilde Skar-Myren delivers a commendable performance. Additionally, the musical score, composed by John Erik Kaada and Vilde Tuv, features a synth style that I found surprising at first, but ultimately very fitting and enjoyable throughout the film.
Overall, The Ugly Stepsister consists of gruesome moments and disturbing aspects of body horror- I loved every minute of it. Instead of taking a Disney concept and adding a wacky, silly, cheap spin on it, this takes the famous tale and goes far deeper than I could even imagine, not just through its level of horror and gripping tension, but the outstanding use of costumes, set pieces, locations and more. Considering it’s her first time on-screen, I thought Lea Mathilde Skar-Myren’s leading performance here was magical and refreshing. Ultimately, if the beloved Cinderella and The Substance went to the ballroom together, this is precisely what you get, and it’s a sensational and fantastic horror film.
The Ugly Stepsister (2025) is Now Available on Shudder!
Published: 10th May 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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