Cinderella-Inspired Body Horror Movie The Ugly Stepsister Is Now Available to Stream

It's become a notable trend to transform familiar fairy tales into horror films, often capitalizing on the nostalgia of cherished childhood stories. Among these adaptations, The Ugly Stepsister stands out as a thought-provoking reinterpretation of its source material. This Norwegian body horror film, inspired by the Brothers Grimm's version of Cinderella, delves deeper into themes than many of its genre counterparts. While other adaptations might lean heavily on shock value, The Ugly Stepsister offers a meaningful commentary on beauty standards and the lengths to which one might go to achieve them.

The film doesn't shy away from its horror roots, however. It's known for its graphic content, with reports of audience members feeling physically ill during its Sundance premiere. Critics have praised the film's boldness, with Katie Rife of IGN describing it as a film that "takes the concept of suffering for beauty to graphic, nauseating extremes," earning it a robust 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

If you're intrigued and think you can handle its intensity, The Ugly Stepsister is now available for streaming 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 platform dedicated to horror enthusiasts, starting at just $7.50 per month, with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. Shudder is also included with an AMC+ membership. For those not interested in another subscription, the film is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

The film's quick transition to streaming platforms comes less than a month after its U.S. theatrical release and nearly five months following its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It also premiered in Norway a month before reaching North American audiences, marking a solid theatrical run for an independent horror film.

What’s The Ugly Stepsister About?

The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws its inspiration from the Brothers Grimm's Cinderella, not the Disney version. The film explores the dark side of beauty standards through its protagonist, Elvira, who undergoes excruciating cosmetic surgeries in her quest to outshine her stepsister and win the prince's affection. IGN's review notes that the film's depiction of these procedures, while extreme, isn't far from historical realities. The movie has been likened to last year's The Substance for its blend of body horror and critique of societal beauty ideals.

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