Will she go to the ball? The Ugly Stepsister (2025) follows teenage underdog, Elvira (Lea Myren) as she fantasizes about attending Prince Julian’s Royal Ball. Set sometime in the 19th century in Norway, the film speaks on the tough beauty standards of the time. Elvira suffers through a challenging training regime which includes everything from dance training to posture classes, and beauty transformations.
The tone is both satirical and dark with rather gruesome visuals. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival 2025 and written and directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, the story is described as a ‘surreal reimagining of Cinderella’ but told from a different perspective.
Changing Perspective
Interestingly, here we take a different approach to a classic fairy-tale we know and love. Darker. Scarier. Fiercer. It’s a Brothers Grimm tale but with a new twist. There’s two stepsisters – Elvira and her younger sister, Alma (Flo Fagerli). Whilst the portrayal of ‘Cinderella’ is named Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Naess). Following alongside the classic fairy-tale, when their father – Otto (Ralph Carlsson) passes away, Elvira’s and Alma’s mother, Rebekka (Ane Dahl Torp) believes his wealth will be handed down to her.
But paths were crossed and neither party were rich. From this moment onwards, Agnes is treated completely differently. No more pretty dresses nor royal treatment. But she’s in the background as we watch Elvira try to transform from the classic ‘ugly duckling’ to the ‘beautiful swan’ storyline.
We watch Elvira suffer from being extremely unhappy with her current self to doing everything she can to completely change her appearance. It’s a rather realistic portrayal of family dynamics. Sisters squabble but it’s the rivalry that is at the heart of the story. There’s desperate attempts to win. But The Ugly Stepsister asks us just how far the step-sisters (Elvira and Agnes) will go to compete with one another to ultimately win over ‘Prince Charming.’
Shocking Body Horror
This rather gruesome reimagining of Cinderella certainly adds something unique to the niche sub-genre of body horror. The intricate prosthetics were created by Anne Cathrine Sauerberg and Thomas Foldberg who earned a 2026 Academy Award nomination for ‘Best Makeup and Hairstyling.’
Drawing similarities from Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance (2024), with its gruesome depictions of adhering to beauty standards. Both films also gained Oscar buzz, featured elaborate prosthetics, and was a body horror that made the Academy Awards. And most importantly, both of these films were directed by women. We’re certainly seeing a new turn of deserved recognition – not only for horror films but for female filmmakers at the Oscars.
The Ugly Stepsister is sweeping with a beautiful, mystical cinematography from the grassy green woodlands to the snowy castles. We’re transported into a gothic version of ‘Cinderella’ from the perspective of her “ugly stepsister.” But the impressive direction, visuals, and prosthetics are just a few of the amazing elements that come together for this film. The portrayal of Elvira by Lea Myren truly takes the reigns here. Scared, emotionally vulnerable, and impressionable – Lea illuminates the screen with her powerfully wide-eyed, daydreamy, and childlike portrayal of Elvira.
But the supporting cast are simply amazing too – Flo Fagerli’s Alma is the loyal younger sister who witnesses everything her sister goes through. She brings a quiet intensity and powerfully evocative support to her sister’s story. Alma’s story is essentially a ‘sisters are forever’-type storyline. Her advice and guidance may fade into the background but she’s always there for Elvira. Whilst their mother, Rebekka gradually descends into evilness, and we realise she was never present in either of her daughters’ stories. She’s only there for herself.
Adhering to Beauty Standards
What are the limits when it comes to forming our own beauty ideal and adhering to societies expectations? When it comes to knowing her limits then Elvira is way out of her depth. Unhappy with herself from the very start, she witnesses Agnes excel at school training, particularly dance class. Jealously, revenge, and competition are three words to describe The Ugly Stepsister.
Elvira undergoes rhinoplasty and wears an apparatus for most of the story, along with undergoing eyelash transplants, and a gruesome portrayal of dieting. Swallowing a tapeworm egg ensures she can still eat whatever she pleases but it comes at a high price. What results is sickness, hair loss, and further unhappiness.
But watching from the perspective of Elvira makes us question if she really is the protagonist? She’s seen as more of an anti-hero. Her story is ultimately sad. Seeking approval from her mother, her teachers, and her peers is something we can all silently relate to in our own lives.
Elvira is a quiet lead who seems to blur into the background of her own story. Widely overshadowed by her ‘Cinderella’ stepsister, Agnes – we see her ‘metaphorically’ step on the trains of Agnes’ dress in a desperate attempt to replace her. But you can’t replace what you don’t have. Unfortunately, Elvira learns this the hard way.
Rating: 3 Stars
The Ugly Stepsister (2025) is now streaming on Shudder. You can read more reviews like this, including The Secret Agent (2025) here.
