Films The Ugly Stepsister

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The Ugly Stepsister poster

Film · 2025

The Ugly Stepsister

Original titleDen stygge stesøsteren

Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt · starring Lea Myren, Ane Dahl Torp and Thea Sofie Loch Næss

  • 1 h 49 min
  • 18
  • Comedy · Drama · Horror
  • NorwayDenmark
  • Released in the UK 24 April 2025
  • 7.1 Users3 votes
Where to watch Rate it

Synopsis

'The Ugly Stepsister' is a Norwegian satirical black comedy with elements of horror written and directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, marking her directorial debut. It is an antagonistic version of the classic Cinderella story, focusing on Elvira, who competes with her sister for beauty in a bloody battle. Premiering in January 2025 at the Sundance Film Festival, the film will be released on March 7, 2025, in Norway.

Rebekka and Otto are two widowers. She has two ugly daughters, Elvira and Alma, while he is the father of a beautiful daughter, Agnes. Both are broke but think the other is wealthy, so they end up marrying to unite their families. When they realize their true financial situation, the surprise is immense.

Now, Agnes has to live with her stepmother and two stepsisters. Rebekka, in an attempt to improve the family's social status, wants to marry Elvira off to Prince Julian. The mother, aware of how unattractive her daughter is, will do everything possible to enhance her daughter's beauty so that she can marry Julian, even though Agnes is the one who truly has the advantage in securing the marriage.

The film stars Lea Myren, Ane Dahl Torp, Thea Sofie Loch Naess, Flo Fagerli, and Isaac Calmroth. The film has received great reviews and several awards, aiming for the official section of the Sitges Film Festival.

Where to watch The Ugly Stepsister

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Available now in the UK:

Availability checked on 8 November 2026.

The essentials

Runtime
109 min1 hour and 49 minutes
Rating
18Suitable only for adults
How long is The Ugly Stepsister?
1 hour and 49 minutes (109 minutes).
When was The Ugly Stepsister released in the UK?
It was released in the UK on 24 April 2025.
Who directed The Ugly Stepsister?
Emilie Blichfeldt.
Who is in The Ugly Stepsister?
It stars Lea Myren, Ane Dahl Torp, Thea Sofie Loch Næss and Flo Fagerli.
Where can I watch The Ugly Stepsister?
In the UK it is available with a channel on Prime Video and to rent on Apple TV.
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Cast

Full cast (22)
Director
Emilie Blichfeldt
Writers
Emilie Blichfeldt
Producers
Christian Torpe, Mariusz Wlodarski
Cinematography
Marcel Zyskind

Photos and posters

All 23 photos

Reviews

All 3 reviews
7.1 3 votes

What the critics say

  • IndiewireRyan Lattanzio "The tyranny of an unscaleable beauty hierarchy will forever be the inspired stuff of great horror moviemaking. While 'The Ugly Stepsister' doesn't go much deeper than Dr. Esthetique's scalpel, the… Read
  • The Hollywood ReporterLovia Gyarkye "At its strongest, 'The Ugly Stepsister' finds new entry points into a familiar thesis. Blichfedlt's interpretation of this fairytale can be especially visually striking". Read
  • VarietyPeter Debruge "Contrasting how her female characters feel with the expectations men put on them, Blichfeldt makes clear that impossible beauty standards are the unfairest of them all, whether in the real world or… Read

Awards

All the awards

Soundtrack

See the song
  1. Piano Sonata No. 14 (Moonlight Sonata)Ludwig van Beethoven

Trivia

  • Post-credit scene

    There is an end credits scene at the very end of the credits

  • Debut

    Emilie Blichfeldt's directorial debut.

  • No English spoken

    There is no English spoken in this film, nor is there an English language dub available for it as of August 2025, despite several streaming services claiming that one is available. Only English subtitles as of yet.

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