The Ugly Stepsister: A Gruesome Fairytale Adaptation

The Ugly Stepsister: A Gruesome Fairytale Adaptation

★★★★ Bloody Disgusting | 8/10 Screen Rant |★★★★ Dread Central

“A stylish, graphic fairytale riff” ScreenDaily

“One of the best horror films of the decade so far.” Autostraddle

 “…savagely brutal and yet strangely beautiful” Mashable

“The body horror Cinderella you never knew you wanted!” JoBlo

Currently at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes

Vertigo Releasing, in association with Shudder and IFC Films, has confirmed the UK and US release date of the stomach-churning Norwegian body-horror The Ugly Stepsister. 

The Ugly Stepsister will be hitting US cinemas on 18th April and UK cinemas on 25th April.

Written and directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, (feature-length directorial debut), The Ugly Stepsister introduces Lea Myren, and also stars Thea Sofie Loch Næss(The Last Kingdom) and Ane Dahl Torp (The Wave).

Classic fairy tales are known to be far more sinister than their more well known animated interpretations, and Emilie Blichfeldt’s The Ugly Stepsister certainly promises to swing the pendulum back towards the grisly. A homage to Charles Perrault’s Cinderella, The Ugly Stepsister is a dark and gruesome adaptation of the classic story where you truly find out exactly how much pain beauty is.

Elvira (Lea Myren) has one all-consuming obsession: to win the affection of her kingdom’s handsome prince and live happily ever after. Yet, she lives in the shadow of her beautiful stepsister, Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss), who seems fated for the happy ending she’s always dreamed of. But, in a kingdom where beauty is prized above all things, Elvira will get what she wants, no matter what…

About Vertigo Releasing

Vertigo Releasing is committed to discovering and championing the most important part of film: the talent. Our releases have grossed over $100 million at the box office. Recent releases include Thailand’s record-setting, Academy Award-shortlisted heartwarmer HOW TO MAKE MILLIONS BEFORE GRANDMA DIES; Alice Lowe’s anti-rom-com TIMESTALKER starring Alice (PREVENGE), Nick Frost (HOT FUZZ), and Jacob Anderson (GAME OF THRONES).

Luna Carmoon’s HOARD, which was recently nominated for 6 BIFAs; and electrifying horror thriller LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, which made a ‘killing’ at the UK & US box office, with press calling it ‘this generation’s EXORCIST’. Upcoming releases include family adventure THE SLOTH LANE, starring comedian Leslie Jones; SANTOSH, the political thriller meets crime procedural, which won 2 BIFAs and is longlisted for the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards; Lorcan Finnegan’s latest hit THE SURFER, which premiered this year in Cannes and the BFI London Film Festival, and stars Nicolas Cage in the titular role; and LAST SWIM, starring newcomer Deba Hekmat as a British-Iranian teen exploring London with her closest friends while secretly grappling with a life-changing decision.

About IFC Films

IFC Films is a leading U.S. distributor of independent cinema that is operated by AMC Networks Inc. The company has been at the forefront of championing boundary-pushing, thought-provoking films for 25 years, with a commitment to delivering high-quality, filmmaker-driven cinema across all genres. IFC Films’ slate reaches a national audience through theatrical releases, cable Video On Demand (VOD), and digital platforms.

Some of the company’s successes over the years include Andrew Haigh’s 45 YEARS, Jennifer Kent’s THE BABADOOK, Matthew Johnson’s BLACKBERRY, Richard Linklater’s BOYHOOD, Armando Iannucci’s THE DEATH OF STALIN, Noah Baumbach’s FRANCES HA, David France’s HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE, Chris Nash’s IN A VIOLENT NATURE, Colin and Cameron Cairnes’ LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, Stephen Frears’ THE LOST KING, Adam Elliot’s MEMOIR OF A SNAIL, Olivier Assayas’ PERSONAL SHOPPER, Tran Anh Hung’s THE TASTE OF THINGS, Michael Winterbottom’s THE TRIP, and Chloe Okuno’s WATCHER. 

About Shudder

AMC Networks’ Shudder stands as the leading curatorial voice and cultural destination for genre entertainment, delivering an unparalleled selection of horror, thrillers, and the supernatural. With an ever-expanding library of films, TV series, and exclusive Originals, Shudder is accessible across most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

Shudder releases approximately thirty films per year, and has redefined genre streaming with a slate of groundbreaking and critically acclaimed titles, including Rob Savage’s HOST, Jayro Bustamante’s Golden Globe-nominated LA LLORONA, Phil Tippett’s MAD GOD, Coralie Fargeat’s REVENGE, Kyle Edward Ball’s SKINAMARINK, Christian Tafdrup’s SPEAK NO EVIL, Chloe Okuno’s WATCHER, Demián Rugna’s WHEN EVIL LURKS, and the latest installments in the V/H/S franchise.

Shudder also boasts fan-favorite series such as the two-time Emmy Award-nominated THE BOULET BROTHERS’ DRAGULA, Mark Duplass’ THE CREEP TAPES, Greg Nicotero’s CREEPSHOW, and THE LAST DRIVE-IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS. Notable recent releases include Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s THE DEVIL’S BATH, Chris Nash’s IN A VIOLENT NATURE, Sébastien Vaniček’s INFESTED, Colin and Cameron Cairnes’ LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, Damian McCarthy’s ODDITY, and Robert Morgan’s STOPMOTION. 

Further Reading

If you’re a fan of spine-chilling tales and hair-raising suspense, then you won’t want to miss the horror features page on The Ginger Nuts of Horror Review Website. This is the ultimate destination for horror enthusiasts seeking in-depth analysis, thrilling reviews, and exclusive interviews with some of the best minds in the genre. From independent films to mainstream blockbusters, the site covers a broad spectrum of horror media, ensuring that you’re always in the loop about the latest and greatest.

The passionate team behind The Ginger Nuts of Horror delivers thoughtful critiques and recommendations that delve into the nuances of storytelling, character development, and atmospheric tension. Whether you’re looking for hidden gems to stream on a dark and stormy night or want to explore the work of up-and-coming horror filmmakers, this page is packed with content that will ignite your imagination and keep you on the edge of your seat.

So grab your favorite horror-themed snacks, settle into a cozy spot, and immerse yourself in the chilling world of horror literature and film. Head over to The Ginger Nuts of Horror and embark on a journey through the eerie and the extraordinary—it’s an adventure you won’t soon forget!