Prepare to witness Cinderella like never before. Ahead of its April 18th release , IFC Films and Shudder have unveiled a brand-new, stomach-churning trailer for The Ugly Stepsister, a gruesome, satirical take on the classic fairy tale. Written and directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, this Norwegian-language nightmare blends body horror, dark comedy, and scathing social commentary into a cinematic experience that’s already leaving audiences shaken—quite literally.
A Cinderella Story Drenched In Blood & Beauty Obsession
Starring Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, and Ane Dahl Torp, The Ugly Stepsister strips away the magic and romance of Cinderella’s world, replacing it with decay, desperation, and the terrifying extremes of beauty culture. In this version, Elvira is not just competing for the prince’s affection. In fact, she is sacrificing her body, sanity, and soul to do so.
Set in a kingdom where beauty is the ultimate currency, Elvira must go head-to-head with the stunning and effortlessly charming Agnes to claim her place as the belle of the ball. But instead of fairy godmothers and silkworm-spun gowns, there are tapeworms, rotting corpses, and gruesome surgical procedures straight out of a 19th-century nightmare.
A Horror Film That Hits Too Close To Home
At its core, The Ugly Stepsister is a brutal reminder of the beauty industry and the extreme lengths women are forced to go to achieve unrealistic standards. In this world, vanity isn’t just toxic—it’s fatal. With disgustingly visceral body horror, the film takes jabs at social obsession with perfection, desirability, and self-worth, all while keeping audiences on edge with its darkly comedic tone.
And if you need proof of its gut-wrenching power, look no further than its Sundance premiere, where an unfortunate attendee literally vomited in the aisle—a badge of honor for any truly disturbing horror flick.
Coming Soon To Theaters & Shudder
Horror fans won’t have to wait long to step into this gruesome fairy tale nightmare. The Ugly Stepsister arrives in U.S. theaters on April 18th, followed by its U.K. debut on April 25th. Shudder has also secured streaming rights, with a premiere date set for later this year. Watch the official trailer above via Rotten Tomatoes and prepare for a Cinderella story soaked in blood, body horror, and beautifully twisted ambition.