"Ugly Stepsister: Cinderella Horror Now Streaming"

It's a growing trend to transform beloved Disney stories into horror films, often leveraging the nostalgia of cherished childhood tales to deliver shock value. However, The Ugly Stepsister, a Norwegian body horror movie inspired by Cinderella, stands out by offering a profound critique of its source material. Unlike adaptations such as Winnie the Pooh, the Cinderella narrative naturally lends itself to the horror genre.

Despite its thoughtful commentary, The Ugly Stepsister doesn't shy away from being viscerally disturbing. Variety reported a vomit incident at its Sundance premiere, and it boasts a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. IGN's critic, Katie Rife, noted, "A strong stomach is non-negotiable... as The Ugly Stepsister takes the concept of suffering for beauty to graphic, nauseating extremes."

If you're curious to test your tolerance, you can now watch The Ugly Stepsister from the comfort of your home.

How to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online

### The Ugly Stepsister

• See it at Shudder
• See it at Prime Video

The Ugly Stepsister is now streaming on Shudder, a horror-focused streaming service that offers plans starting at $7.50/month, with a 7-day free trial. Shudder's library is also available through AMC+ memberships. If you're not keen on another subscription, you can rent or purchase the film from digital platforms like Prime Video.

The film's transition to streaming comes shortly after its U.S. theatrical release, nearly five months following its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It premiered in Norway a month before reaching North American audiences. For an independent horror film, The Ugly Stepsister enjoyed a commendable theatrical run.

What's The Ugly Stepsister About?

The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren in Norwegian) draws inspiration from the Brothers Grimm's Cinderella, rather than the Disney version. IGN's review highlights, "The Ugly Stepsister depicts crude and agonizing cosmetic-surgery procedures that – believe it or not – are not that far off from historical reality." The film's exploration of body horror and beauty standards has drawn comparisons to last year's The Substance. 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 directorial debut of Emilie Blichfeldt. The film features the following cast:

• 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