by Joseph Perry and Mike Imboden
In our “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict” film reviews, Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. For this installment, it’s writer/director Emilie Blichfeldt’s 2025 Norway/Denmark/Romania/Poland/Sweden coproduction The Ugly Stepsister (Den stygge stesøsteren).
Synopsis
A sinister twist on the classic Cinderella story, The Ugly Stepsister follows Elvira as she prepares to earn the prince’s affection at any cost. In a kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira will compete with the beautiful and enchanting Agnes to become the belle of the ball.
The Good
Joseph: Please don’t confuse this riff on the Cinderella story The Ugly Stepsister with the low-budget efforts that some filmmakers and production companies are churning out now that some Disney properties have become public domain. Blichfeldt’s horror feature is a gorgeous looking, wonderfully acted and directed effort that will find itself on many a “Best of 2025” list — including mine.
Boasting plenty of squirm-inducing body horror calculated to make viewers fidget, this corker is also loaded with dark humor. Lea Myren gives a fantastic, all-in, star-turn performance as the naive Elvira, a young woman who dreams of marrying the kingdom’s Prince Julian (Isac Calmroth). The extreme lengths to which Elvira and her mother go to make the young woman more attractive in hopes of catching the attention of Prince Julian at his upcoming ball are bound to have some viewers watching between their fingers.
Amazingly, this is the feature film debut for both Blichfeldt and Myren. Thea Sofie Loch Næss and Ane Dahl Torp are both excellent as Elvira’s new stepsister/Cinderella-style character and Elvira’s libidinous mother, respectively, and the supporting players all give impressive performances. Marcel Zyskind’s sumptuous cinematography and John Erik Kaada’s wonderful score, and the fantastic work from Special Makeup Effects Artist Thomas Foldberg and Makeup Designer Anne Cathrine Sauerberg all deserve high praise.
Mike: Blichfeldt takes a unique approach to the Cinderella yarn by telling the story through Elvira's eyes, the so-called "ugly stepsister." This choice gives us an interesting and often unsettling look at the societal pressures surrounding beauty. The film really goes all out with its graphic scenes showing Elvira's intense quest for physical perfection. It definitely pushes some boundaries and serves as a standout example of body horror. While these scenes can be pretty hard to watch, they serve a purpose beyond shock value; they really highlight how far people will go to chase after impossible beauty ideals.
Lea Myren delivers a fearless and captivating performance as Elvira, a character who's a mix of naivety, desperation, and tragic obsession. Marcel Zyskind's cinematography really pulls you in, mixing the grotesque with some surprisingly beautiful moments, creating a world that's both alluring and a bit off-putting. Also, by showing a Cinderella (Agnes) who's far from innocent and a "Prince Charming" who's pretty shallow and hard to like, the movie cleverly turns classic fairy tale clichés on their head, adding some real depth and a touch of cynicism to the story.
The Bad
Joseph: There are few perfect films, but it is often difficult for me to find faults other than very minor quibbles with some of the films Mike and I review for The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict. That is certainly the case with The Ugly Stepsister.
Mike: The Ugly Stepsister does have a few issues, mainly some weak plot points and sketchy scenarios that can really affect how the story comes together. The film is definitely powerful, but its constant focus on body horror might feel a bit repetitive with the main point being driven home a little too often without much new development. Even though the film has a lot of meaningful themes, its graphic scenes might be a bit overwhelming for those who aren't familiar with body horror, which could turn off some viewers.
The Verdict
Joseph: All manner of fear-fare devotees, consider The Ugly Stepsister to be must-see viewing! It’s a wickedly fun work and I can’t wait to see how Blichfeldt follows this up.
Mike: The Ugly Stepsister is a bold and challenging film that’s sure to leave a lasting impression, and it might just divide opinions among viewers. The Cinderella story gets a raw and intense makeover, transforming it into a gripping body horror tale that sharply critiques today’s beauty standards and the societal pressures that drive people to go to extremes. The bold direction, Lea Myren's captivating performance, and the eye-catching visual aesthetic really stand out as the strongest points. This film really grabs your attention and sparks conversation and will definitely leave a lasting impression, showcasing Emilie Blichfeldt as an intriguing new talent in the world of cinema.
The Ugly Stepsister
Directed By: Emilie Blichfeldt
Written By: Emilie Blichfeldt
Starring: Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp, Isac Calmroth
Run Time: 1 hr 49 min
Rating: N/R
Release Date: March 7, 2025 (Norway)
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