In today’s media landscape that’s brimming with revivals, reinventions, and follow-ups, even timeless fairy tales aren’t left untouched. To add to the recent Disney controversy, another production company has dared to delve deeper into the classic tale of Snow White by offering a darker, more ominous retelling.
Over the past few years, several classic children’s tales and beloved fairy stories have been reimagined as horror or slasher films. For instance, the popular The Twisted Childhood Universe includes characters like Peter Pan. Even Disney’s original fairy tales, originally inspired by the darker Grimm Brothers’ stories, are now being transformed into new horrors. A fresh body horror retelling of Cinderella, titled “The Ugly Stepsister,” has recently hit theaters and received an impressive 96% score from critics.
Titled “The Ugly Stepsister,” this Norwegian film delves into the genre of body horror. It’s the directorial debut for Emilie Blichfeldt, who wrote and directed it. The cast includes Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp, and Flo Fagerl. This chilling body horror premiered worldwide, securing a deal with Shudder for international distribution before its release. It hit theaters on Apr. 18.
The movie offers a unique twist on the classic fairy tale by telling the story from the perspective of one of the stepsisters, Elvira in this case. Instead of Cinderella being the beautiful rival, Elvira finds herself competing against her due to a series of painful and primitive surgeries performed by her mother, Rebekka, with the aim of winning over Prince Julian’s heart.
As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but be thrilled about “The Ugly Stepsister,” which currently boasts an impressive 96% rating from 76 reviews and has been certified fresh. Although the score might change as more reviews pour in, this Norwegian take on the classic tale of Cinderella is already making waves. Given that it’s only just hit the big screen, there’s currently no audience score available, but I can’t wait to see what people think once they’ve had a chance to watch it!
Andrew Parker remarks, “The Ugly Stepsister is both grimly humorous and unsettling, leaving viewers feeling uncomfortable yet thoroughly entertained. It’s a film that can be described as a captivating fusion of a dark fairy tale, contemporary feminist perspectives, and gruesome body horror elements.
Sheila O’Malley emphasizes that the term “‘Extreme'” doesn’t quite capture the intensity of Blichfeldt’s style in “The Ugly Stepsister,” as she observes that his adaptation gives a more vivid portrayal of the darker themes found in the Brothers Grimm original story. She notes that the film is so extreme, it overshadows any message and is too intense to function as a cautionary tale.
Peter Debruge points out that Blichfeldt emphasizes that ‘unattainable beauty standards are the most unjust of all, whether in reality or this warped fictional realm’. On the other hand, Katie Rife mentions that The Ugly Stepsister pushes the idea of enduring pain for beauty to shockingly extreme and queasy limits.
The Ugly Sister Also Received Criticism
Despite the majority of reviews being favorable, the movie has also garnered some unfavorable ratings. One critic, Nick Schager, points out that while the film’s themes about sexist standards are clear from the beginning, they are repeatedly expressed in increasingly harsh ways; he finds a disappointing lack of freshness or novelty in the storyline.
Sean Boelman notes that Blinchfeldt’s method is so unique that it avoids feeling ordinary or typical. Conversely, Ane Dahl Trop’s portrayal of Rebekkah seems to lack the kind of captivating, attention-grabbing performance that a truly memorable villain might deliver.
As I eagerly anticipate showcasing my film at Sundance, I’m excited to share that my primary goal is to stir emotions in the viewers – a blend of empathy and unease. I hope this will prompt them to ponder their own perspectives on beauty and the bond they share with it.
The Ugly Stepsister is playing in theaters.
Read More
- Ludus promo codes (April 2025)
- Cookie Run: Kingdom Topping Tart guide – delicious details
- Unleash the Ultimate Warrior: Top 10 Armor Sets in The First Berserker: Khazan
- Cookie Run Kingdom: Shadow Milk Cookie Toppings and Beascuits guide
- Grand Outlaws brings chaos, crime, and car chases as it soft launches on Android
- Grimguard Tactics tier list – Ranking the main classes
- Fortress Saga tier list – Ranking every hero
- Tap Force tier list of all characters that you can pick
- ZEREBRO/USD
- Val Kilmer Almost Passed on Iconic Role in Top Gun
2025-04-18 21:05