So, when I heard The Ugly Stepsister was offering yet another spin on Cinderella, my expectations stayed firmly at glass-slipper level. But trust me — this is no dainty ballgown affair. What director Emilie Blichfeldt delivers here is an utterly unhinged, grotesque, and riveting body horror experience that stomps all over the sugar-coated versions we grew up with.
This isn’t just a retelling — it’s a reckoning.
A Cinderella Tale Turned Inside Out
Set against a cold, Nordic backdrop, The Ugly Stepsister reframes the classic fairytale through the lens of Elvira (played hauntingly by Lea Myren), the so-called “ugly” sibling. But what starts as a familiar tale of envy quickly descends into something far darker — flesh-transforming surgeries, a twisted quest for beauty, and the horrifying lengths one might go to for societal acceptance.
Blichfeldt’s script cleverly deconstructs the mythos of beauty and worth. Rather than a pumpkin carriage and a lost slipper, we’re taken down a rabbit hole of warped body modifications and psychological torment. No spoilers here — but be prepared to squirm.
Blichfeldt’s Disturbing Vision
This is Emilie Blichfeldt's directorial debut, and what a debut it is! She weaves her personal experiences with body image into the tapestry of this grim fairytale. Her Scandinavian sensibility is palpable — icy, clinical, and unflinchingly honest.
Her choice to blend body horror with dark fantasy feels inspired, invoking echoes of Cronenberg but with a distinctly feminist lens. The grotesque becomes a metaphor for the impossible standards imposed on women, especially those deemed "less than" in a world obsessed with beauty.
Performances That Cut Deep
Lea Myren gives a devastating turn as Elvira. Her descent from awkward stepsister to something… else, is played with such vulnerability it’s difficult to look away — even when the transformations become visually ghastly. Thea Sofie Loch Næss, as her radiant sister Agnes, masterfully embodies the golden child burdened with her own expectations.
And Adam Lundgren as the eerie Dr. Esthétique? He’s the modern fairy godfather you never wanted, all sinister charm and scalpel-sharp intentions.
Chilling Cinematography and Sound
The cinematography by Jakob Ihre is stark and unrelenting. Cool, desaturated palettes contrast with the visceral body horror elements, enhancing that claustrophobic, clinical vibe. The surgical scenes are meticulously shot — not exploitative, but disturbingly precise.
And the sound design — oh, the sound! Every incision, every creak of tightening skin, is amplified to nerve-shredding effect. Coupled with a haunting score by Christine Hals, it leaves you feeling raw long after the credits roll.
Audience Reactions: USA vs. UK
Here’s where it gets intriguing. American audiences have generally embraced the film’s horror aspects, praising its originality but also debating its unsettling imagery. The Sundance premiere drew admiration but also walkouts — testament to its divisiveness.
In the UK, critics have been even more enthusiastic. The British press lauded its bold feminist commentary and intellectual depth, particularly following its screening at the Berlin International Film Festival. Viewers across the UK seem more comfortable engaging with its body horror as allegory, while US audiences remain more split between love and revulsion.
Final Thoughts: A Beauty Standard Nightmare Worth Facing?
The Ugly Stepsister is not an easy watch. It’s discomforting, grotesque, and laced with biting social commentary. But that’s exactly why I couldn’t look away. If you dare to confront your own perceptions of beauty, vanity, and self-worth, this film will leave its mark.
It may not be the fairy tale you expected, but perhaps it’s the one we need.
