Hold onto your fairy godmothers because Cinderella is about to take a seriously dark and twisted turn! If you thought your childhood was safe, think again. The Ugly Stepsister, a reimagining of the classic Cinderella tale, is here. Think less bibbidi-bobbidi-boo and a whole lot more “eww.”
A Dark Twist
The Ugly Stepsister is leaning hard into the grim and gruesome elements found in the original Brothers Grimm version of the tale, complete with its fair share of seriously unsettling bodily mutilation. This isn’t your usual princess-in-a-pretty-dress story.
Lea Myren, who plays Elvira, and Thea Naess, who takes on the role of Askepott (that’s Cinderella in Norwegian!), lead this descent into a fairy tale nightmare. Isac Calmroth joins the twisted tale as Prince Julian, with Ane Torp playing the decidedly wicked Stepmother.
And for all you with a taste for the darkly delicious, get ready to have your glass slippers well and truly shattered! Your beloved Cinderella is about to get an unsettling and seriously messed-up twist in The Ugly Stepsister. It’s a fresh and cinematic nightmare that’s just landed, brought to you by IFC and the streaming haven for all things horror, Shudder.
A Talented Cast
This isn’t your average pumpkin carriage and happily-ever-after scenario. Nope, this is a biting satire wrapped in a visually stunning and deeply unsettling package. And it’s all brought to life by the wickedly creative writer and director Emilie Blichfeldt in her feature film debut.
The Ugly Stepsister plunges headfirst into a sinister, darkly comedic spin on the beloved Cinderella narrative. The story centers on Elvira, played with a fierce and almost desperate determination by Lea Myren. Elvira has one unwavering goal: to snag the prince’s affection. And she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty to achieve it. In this kingdom, beauty isn’t just admired; it’s a brutal and cutthroat competition. Elvira is in a vicious rivalry with the enchantingly beautiful Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss). As both women vie to become the belle of the ball and capture the eye of Prince Julian, the gloves (and a few appendages) come off in this ruthless battle.
But hold on—this isn’t just some simple horror flick with fairy tale skin. The Ugly Stepsister promises to be more than jump scares and gruesome visuals (though there will likely be plenty of those!). It’s also an examination of the intense and often damaging pressures surrounding body image and the relentlessly unrealistic standards of beauty that society often imposes.
So, if you’re ready for a fairy tale where the magic is definitely laced with malice, and the pursuit of beauty takes a decidedly gruesome turn, then The Ugly Stepsister sounds like it’s right up your dark and twisted alley. You can dive into this unsettling reimagining right now on Shudder.
