The Ugly Stepsister (2025)
A darkly comic Norwegian body-horror fairy tale that retells Cinderella from the stepsister's desperate, unflinching point of view.
The Ugly Stepsister - Movie Information
- Original Title: Den stygge stesøsteren
- Release Year: 2025
- Directed by: Emilie Blichfeldt
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Comedy, Fantasy, Drama
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 49m
- Original Language: Norwegian
- Spoken Languages: Norwegian, Polish, Swedish
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 7, 2025 (Norway - 15), April 18, 2025 (United States - NR), April 25, 2025 (United Kingdom - 18), June 5, 2025 (Germany - 16), July 2, 2025 (France - 16), October 23, 2025 (Brazil - 18), September 11, 2025 (Mexico - C), October 30, 2025 (Italy), October 17, 2025 (Spain - 18), August 20, 2025 (South Korea - 19)
- Alternative Titles: Гадкая сестра (RU), アグリーシスター (JP), Çirkin Ögey Bacı (AZ), Ha'Akhot Ha'Mekho'eret (IL), Ošklivá sestra (CZ)
- Production Companies: Mer Film, Lava Films, MOTOR, Scanbox Production, Zentropa International Sweden, Mediefondet Zefyr, Film i Väst
- Production Countries: Denmark, Norway, Poland, Sweden
The Ugly Stepsister - Plot
In a fairy-tale kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira battles to compete with her incredibly beautiful stepsister, and she will go to any length to catch the prince's eye.
The Ugly Stepsister - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the dark fairy tale unfold:
If the shoe doesn't fit...
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The Ugly Stepsister - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Emilie Blichfeldt
Main Cast
- Lea Myren
- Ane Dahl Torp
- Thea Sofie Loch Næss
- Flo Fagerli
- Isac Calmroth
- Malte Gårdinger
- Ralph Carlsson
- Cecilia Forss
- Katarzyna Herman
- Adam Lundgren
Writers
- Emilie Blichfeldt
Producers
- Maria Ekerhovd
The Ugly Stepsister - FAQs
Where can you stream The Ugly Stepsister?
The Ugly Stepsister is available to stream on Hulu, Shudder, AMC+, and Philo in the United States. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Check JustWatch for up-to-date regional availability.
What body horror elements does The Ugly Stepsister contain?
The film features visceral, unflinching body horror sequences in which the protagonist undergoes extreme physical procedures to alter her appearance. These scenes are deliberately graphic and serve as a dark metaphor for the destructive pressures of beauty standards, making the film unsuitable for squeamish viewers.
Is The Ugly Stepsister based on a true story?
No, The Ugly Stepsister is not based on a true story. It is a darkly reimagined fairy tale inspired by the classic Cinderella narrative, reframed through the perspective of the stepsister. Writer-director Emilie Blichfeldt uses the fairy-tale setting as a satirical lens to examine modern beauty standards and self-worth.
Who are the main actors in The Ugly Stepsister?
The film stars Lea Myren as Elvira, Ane Dahl Torp as Rebekka, Thea Sofie Loch Næss as Agnes, Flo Fagerli as Alma, and Isac Calmroth as Prince Julian. The supporting cast includes Malte Gårdinger, Ralph Carlsson, Cecilia Forss, Katarzyna Herman, and Adam Lundgren.
What is The Ugly Stepsister about?
Set in a fairy-tale kingdom where beauty is currency, the film follows Elvira, a young woman desperate to outshine her breathtaking stepsister and win the prince's affection. Blending dark comedy with body horror, it delivers a biting satire of beauty culture, obsession, and the lengths people endure to conform.
Does The Ugly Stepsister have a happy ending?
The Ugly Stepsister subverts fairy-tale conventions rather than delivering a traditional happy ending. Without revealing specific details, the film's conclusion is deliberately unsettling and thought-provoking, prioritizing thematic resonance over comfort. Viewers expecting a classic fairy-tale resolution will find something far more challenging and ambiguous.
What is the age rating for The Ugly Stepsister?
The Ugly Stepsister is rated NR (Not Rated) in the United States. In other territories it carries stricter ratings: 15 in Norway, 18 in the United Kingdom and Spain, 16 in Germany and France, and 19 in South Korea. The film contains graphic body horror and mature themes, making it unsuitable for younger audiences.
Who directed The Ugly Stepsister?
The Ugly Stepsister was written and directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, a Norwegian filmmaker making her feature directorial debut. Blichfeldt also penned the screenplay, crafting a bold, satirical reimagining of the Cinderella story told from the stepsister's perspective, with a strong focus on body image and societal beauty pressures.
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