The Ugly Stepsister: Is Beauty a Curse??

THE UGLY STEPSISTER Review | Body Horror, Fairy Tales, Beauty Standards

In this episode, Chris and Jess dive deep into The Ugly Stepsister (2025) — the disturbing, Norwegian body-horror reimagining of the Cinderella fairy tale. Is beauty a curse? And what does this film reveal about the pressure placed on women’s bodies?

Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt in her first feature film, The Ugly Stepsister flips the classic story on its head, following the tormented stepsister Elvira as she’s pushed through brutal beauty rituals, grotesque transformations, and impossible expectations. Set in a grim, mud-soaked kingdom where appearance equals survival, the film becomes a dark allegory for body dysmorphia, social pressure, and the violence of perfectionism.

Chris and Jess break down:

• How the movie reframes the fairy tale from the stepsister’s POV
• Why fairy tales make perfect horror
• Themes of beauty, control, identity, and self-worth
• The mother’s disturbing role in transforming her daughter
• Real-world parallels to Body Dysmorphic Disorder, “Dance Moms,” and toxic beauty culture
• How the film compares to The Substance, Frankenstein, The Thing, and other body-horror classics
• What worked, what didn’t, and whether it’s worth your watch

If you love body horror, dark fairy tale horror, or psychological genre films, this episode is for you.