"Ugly Stepsister: Stream the Cinderella Horror Now"

The trend of transforming beloved childhood stories into horror movies continues with the release of The Ugly Stepsister, a Norwegian body horror film that offers a dark twist on the classic Cinderella tale. Unlike many films that capitalize solely on nostalgia, The Ugly Stepsister provides a poignant critique of its source material, exploring themes of beauty standards and the lengths one might go to achieve them. The movie's intense body horror elements have led to notable reactions, including a reported vomiting incident at its Sundance premiere, as noted by Variety. Critics have praised the film, with it holding a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. IGN's Katie Rife remarked, "A strong stomach is non-negotiable... as The Ugly Stepsister takes the concept of suffering for beauty to graphic, nauseating extremes."

If you're intrigued and want to test your own limits, you can now watch The Ugly Stepsister from the comfort of your home.

How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online

The Ugly Stepsister

You can stream The Ugly Stepsister on Shudder, a streaming service dedicated to horror content, which starts at $7.50 per month and includes a 7-day free trial. Shudder is also part of AMC+ memberships. If you prefer not to subscribe, the film is available to rent or purchase on digital platforms like Prime Video.

The film's transition to streaming platforms comes shortly after its U.S. theatrical release and about five months following its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It also premiered in Norway a month before hitting North American screens, indicating a successful run for an independent horror film.

What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?

The Ugly Stepsister (known as Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws its inspiration from the Brothers Grimm's version of Cinderella. According to IGN, the film "depicts crude and agonizing cosmetic-surgery procedures that – believe it or not – are not that far off from historical reality." The movie has been compared to last year's The Substance due to its blend of body horror and commentary on beauty standards. Here's 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 Cast and Characters

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