Amazon Prime fans say twisted new horror flick will 'haunt your mind'
Released earlier in 2025, the new horror flick The Ugly Stepsister has been making waves on Amazon Prime among aficionados of the genre, with glowing reviews flooding the internet.
The Ugly Stepsister is a Norwegian-language satirical dark film marking the directorial debut of Emilie Blichfeldt. It's a twisted reimagining of the classic fairy tale Cinderella, where Elvira, the ugly stepsister, competes against her beautiful sibling for physical perfection to catch the prince's eye, resorting to extreme measures to impress him.
Several reviews have drawn parallels between its exploration of women's beauty standards and patriarchal flaws and those depicted in the Oscar-winning film The Substance. One critique on Rotten Tomatoes reads: "If The Substance turned it up to 11, The Ugly Stepsister clocks in at a solid 10.
"A retelling of Cinderella told from the perspective of Cinderella's step-family members, this film comments as well on the awful lengths women will go to to enhance their beauty. Like The Substance, this film was also made by a woman director with a focused, cinematic style that conveys the story and commentary with admirable clarity and brevity."
Another review enthuses: "Highly enjoyed the hell out of this and really admired the heartbreaking, twisted, dark take by director Emilie Blichfeldt on the legendary Cinderella story with a different psychological horror perspective from the evil stepsister. The cinematography by Marcel Zyskind is mesmerising, bringing a suffocating cold atmosphere that will haunt the mind."
The film features several disturbing scenes, as per the Mirror US, including the young women undergoing a series of painful plastic surgeries, with one sister even resorting to swallowing a tapeworm in a desperate attempt to lose weight. As their behaviour spirals out of control, Elviria becomes malnourished and starts to lose her hair, all while preparing for a grand ball where their prince awaits.
Emilie Blichfeldt has garnered significant attention for her work on this film, serving as both director and scriptwriter. Having previously worked on smaller film projects, this marks her first major success following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Despite featuring a lesser-known Norwegian cast, The Ugly Stepsister has had a profound impact on viewers, with Lea Myren and Thea Sofie Loch Næss delivering standout performances as the two rival sisters. Their portrayals have been hailed as a "breath of fresh air," and when paired with the powerful script, have sparked a much broader conversation.
One viewer praised the film, stating: "It has poignant body horror to go along with the themes of body dysmorphia and narcissism with a heavy synth score reminiscent of the dark fantasy subgenre of the 1980s.
It ties in elements of the Brothers Grimm fairytale as well as elements of the beloved Disney classic film. Another critic hailed the movie, stating: "This film is a wild ride! A dark, twisted take on the Cinderella story that dives deep into themes of beauty and envy. The body horror elements are intense, and the performances are top-notch. It's not for the faint of heart, but if you're into psychological horror with a fairy tale twist, this one's for you."
With its substantial body horror components and superb acting, this film isn't for the squeamish. But for those intrigued by a psychological terror with an enchanted spin, this flick is a must.
For those in pursuit of a spine-chilling viewing experience, The Ugly Stepsister can be streamed presently on Amazon Prime.
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