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The Ugly Stepsister
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8.6
/10
32,110 Ratings

THE UGLY STEPSISTER

Den stygge stesøsteren

Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt
Norway, Poland, 2025
Comedy, Horror
  • 110110 minutes

Synopsis

Seemingly plain but ambitious Elvira is pushed by her mother to win over a vain prince and save their family. But when her stunning stepsister Agnes becomes a rival, Elvira is driven to extremes. As the royal ball nears, she must face the harsh truths of the world she longs to belong to.

Synopsis

Seemingly plain but ambitious Elvira is pushed by her mother to win over a vain prince and save their family. But when her stunning stepsister Agnes becomes a rival, Elvira is driven to extremes. As the royal ball nears, she must face the harsh truths of the world she longs to belong to.

Our take

Festering with maggots and tapeworms, this majestically gruesome feature debut from Norwegian writer-director Emilie Blichfeldt guts facile fantasies of inner beauty. Adapting the timeless tale, this body-horror spin on Cinderella writhes with the darkness of the Grimm Brothers’ original vision.