The Ugly Stepsister – A Sleazy, Surreal Fairytale Reinvented
Genre: Horror, Drama, Comedy
Directed by: Emilie Blichfeldt
Starring: Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Naess, Ane Dahl Torp
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Platform: Theatrical
Rating: 4/5
By Stephen Lackey
“Visually indulgent fever dream that’s bound for cult status.”
Retelling fairytales through the lens of horror isn’t exactly new territory, but THE UGLY STEPSISTER feels like a breath of fresh, blood-tinged air compared to the low-budget, low-effort entries of the Poohniverse. No shade—if you love the Poohniverse films, then you are absolutely their target audience. But THE UGLY STEPPSISTER operates on an entirely different level in terms of acting, direction, practical effects, and storytelling.
This Norwegian reimagining of Cinderella harks back to the Eurotrash cinema of the 1970s—films that were lush, lurid, and unapologetically bizarre. That’s exactly the energy this film channels: sexy, grotesque, and opulently trashy. Told through the eyes of, Elvira, the titular “ugly” stepsister. The story follows her obsessive quest to win the hand of the Prince. Her family needs money, and the Prince needs a bride—simple enough. But when a royal ball is announced, Elvira and her mother descend into increasingly unhinged attempts to make her the belle of the ball. This is where the film goes completely off the rails—in the best way. The lengths they go to in the name of beauty are jaw-dropping, laced with gore and explicit imagery that has fueled both buzz and backlash. While some of the hype may be overstated, THE UGLY STEPSISTER absolutely delivers the goods for fans of extreme cinema.
The film isn’t subtle—nor does it try to be—but it does have something to say. Themes of beauty as currency, body dysmorphia, patriarchal expectations, and class dynamics are all present, even if explored with a sledgehammer rather than a scalpel. You’ll nod at the commentary, then either laugh or wince at what unfolds onscreen. The minimal dialogue and fairytale framing add to the surreal tone, grounding the chaos in something strangely sincere.
For a debut feature, this is a stunning achievement. The production design is immaculate—from the sets to the wardrobe to even the food. Visually, every frame feels intentional and rich with texture. The script doesn’t quite match the polish of the visuals; there are some narrative hiccups, like the sporadic use of magic that feels more like a plot device than a woven element. Still, it’s a Cinderella story—magic was inevitable. It just arrives a bit abruptly. Acting is strong across the board, but the film is carried adeptly by Lea Myren as Elvira.
Comparisons to David Cronenberg have floated around, but they miss the mark. THE UGLY STEPSISTER feels far more indebted to the likes of Jess Franco, Mario Bava, and Walerian Borowczyk. In fact, Borowczyk’s La Bête (The Beast) could easily be considered this film’s spiritual godparent. These filmmakers challenged social and political norms through a unique blend of lush visuals and seedy situations. What sets this film apart further is its clever use of sound design—the audio work intensifies the film’s most grotesque moments, sometimes to an almost unbearable degree. The one scene that is most talked about in this film only works due to the sound design.
Lavish, sleazy, funny, and disturbing, THE UGLY STEPSISTER isn’t elevated horror—but it’s far from mindless. It’s a brilliantly acted, visually indulgent fever dream that’s bound for cult status. Yes, there’s an abundance of nudity, gore, and body horror. And while it may not be quite as traumatizing as the internet would have you believe, it’s certainly more hardcore than your average studio release.
Writer/director Emilie Blichfeldt adds a uniquely grimy twist to the current extreme horror conversation—one that’s been revitalized by bold filmmakers, like Rose Glass and Julia Ducournau. THE UGLY STEPSISTER might not be the kind of experience you’d normally have in a domestic theater, but that alone makes it worth seeking out on the biggest screen you can find.
