The Ugly Stepsister spins the classic tale into a blood-soaked farce, blending body horror and dark humor in a demented quest for beauty.
Once upon a scream, in a kingdom where beauty is more cutthroat than reality TV, director Emilie Blichfeldt serves up The Ugly Stepsister, a wickedly delightful concoction that mashes up fairy-tale fantasy with body-horror grotesquery. If the Brothers Grimm hosted their own makeover show, then this would certainly make the, ahem, cut.
Our tale centers on Elvira (Lea Mathilde Skar-Myren in a defining debut performance), the so-called “ugly” stepsister who’s had it up to her glass slippers with playing second fiddle to her drop-dead gorgeous step-sibling, Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss). In a land obsessed with looks, Elvira decides to take beauty into her own hands…and guts. What follows is a grim quest for perfection that makes Black Swan look like a movie starring Natalie Portman.
Blichfeldt doesn’t just flip the script, she puts it through a meat grinder. The film gleefully skewers societal beauty standards, serving up satire sharper than a needle through [spoilers]. The kingdom’s fixation on physical perfection is portrayed with a macabre sense of humor, turning the classic tale into a cautionary fable about the perils of vanity. It can almost compete with The Substance in that regard, which is certainly saying something.
Skar-Myren is a revelation as Elvira, delivering a performance that’s equal parts tragic and darkly comedic. She embodies the character’s desperation and determination, making you root for her even as she descends into unhinged madness. The supporting cast, including Ane Dahl Torp as the scheming stepmother and Isac Calmroth as the oblivious “Poet Prince” Julian, add layers of depth to this twisted tale in ways that would make the Disney remake lose its lunch.
For all its shock value, the production design and atmosphere certainly play the part of a sentimental love story. Cinematographer Marcel Zyskind paints the kingdom in lush, vibrant hues, providing a stark contrast to the dark deeds unfolding on screen. The special effects team deserves a standing ovation (or perhaps a therapy session) for their work in bringing Elvira’s gruesome transformations to life.
However, as the clock approaches midnight, the narrative begins to lose its footing. The film’s audacious blend of horror and commentary is a ball, and the finale itself is as sick as you’ll expect. But weirdly it’s in the film’s resolution where the fairy tale ending (or lack of one) is most pronounced. Almost like it’s a missing a scene or two.
Despite these missteps, The Ugly Stepsister is a bold and inventive reimagining that breathes new life (and plenty of blood) into a story you already know but I guarantee you’ve never seen before. Not like this. It’s a grim reminder that in the pursuit of beauty, one might just lose themselves—and perhaps an appendage or two—along the way.
If you’re in the mood for a fairy tale that’s less “happily ever after” and more “horrifically ever after,” slip into your finest attire (preferably something washable) and give The Ugly Stepsister a spin. Just be prepared: this is one dance that gets delightfully messy.
The Ugly Stepsister had its world premiere at the Sundance 2025 Film Festival. Find more of our Sundance 2025 coverage here.
REVIEW RATING
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The Ugly Stepsister - 7/10
7/10
Jon is one of the co-founders of InBetweenDrafts and our resident Podcast Editor. He hosts the podcasts Cinemaholics, Mad Men Men, Rookie Pirate Radio, and Fantasy Writing for Barbarians. He doesn’t sleep, essentially.
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