A gleefully grotesque spin on a classic fairy tale, The Ugly Stepsister doesn’t tiptoe around its intentions. It’s a proudly nasty, pitch-black comedy that tosses subtlety aside in favour of full-throttle provocation.
Norwegian filmmaker Emilie Blichfeldt makes an attention-grabbing feature debut, taking Cinderella and twisting it into something far more deranged. This time, the story unfolds from the viewpoint of one of the so-called villains, turning a familiar tale into a warped, farcical nightmare about beauty, status, and the lengths people go to in pursuit of both.
At the centre of it all is Lea Myren, playing Elvira — an awkward, wide-eyed teen with big dreams and even bigger insecurities. Myren gives an all-in performance, handling the character’s transformation with just the right amount of desperation and dark humour. As Elvira spirals, the film dials up the grotesque. The first half is relatively restrained (well, kind of), but the final stretch proves to be as outrageous as it is disgusting. Tapeworms, smashed bones, makeshift surgeries – there will be squirming and wincing.
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The satire hits with force, especially when tackling vanity and obsession, though there are moments where a lighter touch might have brought out more complexity. Then again, this isn’t a film that’s aiming for quiet reflection. This is a film that wants reactions — whether that’s laughing, cringing, or both — and in that regard, it absolutely delivers.
It’s provocative, sharp, and stylishly twisted. The Ugly Stepsister won’t suit all tastes, but if you’re in the mood for something unhinged, this fairy tale delivers.
