The Ugly Stepsister Gives Cinderella a Feminist Twist
by Justine Norton-Kertson
The Ugly Stepsister, the feature debut of Norwegian director Emilie Blichfeldt that Variety calls “ambitious,” offers a daring and unexpected take on the classic Cinderella tale. Combining elements of comedy and body horror, the film reimagines the story through the eyes of Elvira, one of Cinderella's stepsisters. Set in a fairy-tale kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira battles to compete with her incredibly beautiful stepsister, willing to go to any length to catch the prince's eye.
We’re big fans of horror comedy here at Nerd Horror Media. We’re waiting for this one with anticipation.
The film stars newcomer Lea Myren as Elvira, alongside Thea Sofie Loch Næss and Ane Dahl Torp. Blichfeldt's inspiration for the film came from rediscovering the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella, in which the stepsister cuts off her toes to make the shoe fit. She describes the film as "beauty horror," aiming to seduce the audience into a "girl-dreaming-of-marrying-the-prince-fairytale" before revealing its true and raw insides. Blichfeldt believes it's time the ugly stepsister's story is lifted from the shadows of Cinderella and cultivated as an iconic feminist narrative about the tyranny of beauty.
The Ugly Stepsister made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year and is set to be featured at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival in January 2025. The film has garnered attention for its unique perspective and genre-blending approach. Additionally, Shudder, the premium streaming service specializing in horror and thriller content, has acquired the rights to the film for North American, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Shudder plans to release the movie on their platform later in 2025.
The Ugly Stepsister is poised to offer audiences a fresh and thought-provoking twist on a beloved fairy tale, challenging traditional narratives and exploring contemporary themes related to beauty standards and societal expectations.
