The classic Cinderella fairy tale has been twisted into something far more disturbing in the upcoming horror film The Ugly Stepsister, and the first trailer proves it’s not for the faint of heart.
Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, this dark reimagining follows Elvira (Lea Myren), a young woman obsessed with transforming herself to compete with her beautiful stepsister for the prince’s affection. But instead of fairy godmothers and magical makeovers, Elvira undergoes grotesque self-mutilation and extreme procedures in an attempt to achieve her version of perfection.
The trailer teases unsettling body horror elements, with painful transformations, graphic alterations to her face and feet, and an eerie atmosphere drenched in psychological torment. Think Black Swan meets Cronenberg. The film takes direct aim at society’s impossible beauty standards and the toxic pursuit of perfection, delivering a brutal, bloody cautionary tale.
After its Sundance premiere, The Ugly Stepsister earned praise for its bold vision and unsettling execution. Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with critics calling it a “disturbing but necessary” look at the horrors of self-image obsession. It currently boasts a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
IFC Films is set to release The Ugly Stepsister in theaters on April 18, 2025, with a streaming debut on Shudder to follow. UK audiences won’t have to wait long, as the film will hit cinemas there on April 25. If the trailer is anything to go by, this film is sure to make audiences squirm—and rethink every fairy tale they grew up with.