Thus far in 2025, we’ve been treated to a host of chilling and unsettling films that have enriched the horror genre. Movies like “Together” have provided a disturbing yet captivating portrayal of body horror, while “The Monkey” offers a dose of gory absurdity. However, it’s important to note that “Sinners” is less about scaring and more about offering thought-provoking social and existential commentary.
Yet among all these offerings, one film stands out for its ability to blend unabashed violence with profound reflection, leaving me both unsettled and thoughtful. Intriguingly, it’s a reimagining of a timeless fairytale.
Under Emilie Blichfeldt’s direction, the movie titled “The Ugly Stepsister” offers a unique retelling of a childhood tale. It subtly transforms the familiar narrative into an uncomfortably intimate and disturbing experience. The film captivates immediately with its rich, period-drama aesthetic, only to later sink its teeth in with unsettling body horror.
Why The Ugly Stepsister Earns the Crown for Best Horror of 2025 (So far)
The plotline in this movie appears straightforward, but it’s actually quite twisted. Instead of Cinderella, it’s Cinderella’s ugly stepsister Elvira (played by Lea Myren) who is smitten with the prince and will go to great lengths to capture his attention. Influenced by her mother (Ane Dahl Torp), she undergoes a significant change in appearance, which is similar to countless films where the female protagonist experiences a transformation to win over the male character’s affection. However, this transformation in our story takes on a disturbing edge, involving surgeries on her eyelids and extracting worms from her body to conform to societal beauty ideals.
In “The Ugly Stepsister,” Blichfeldt creatively reimagines Cinderella’s tale through a body horror lens reminiscent of Cronenberg, making every beautiful transformation scene grotesque. The film doesn’t rely on graphic violence; instead, it critiques the absurd and harmful lengths society forces people to go for perfection. The acting is crucial to its success. Myren, portraying the title character Elvira, the quintessential ugly stepsister, displays the tender pain beneath her escalating insanity. The rest of the cast echo her every beat. The stepmother’s sneers feel sharp enough to cut skin, while Prince Julian (Isac Calmroth) masks his judgment with a seductive charm. The costumes and set design give the impression of a traditional period drama, but as time passes, everything deteriorates at the edges – fabrics get stained, candlelit halls become oppressive, and the camera lingers too long on details you’d rather forget.
This film skillfully juggles its tone, with moments that provoke nervous laughter from dark comedy one minute, and tension the next, as the music escalates into eerie and distressing crescendos. The music, pulsating and evolving, maintains a sense of unease, making even the seemingly peaceful scenes feel heavy with fear. What particularly stood out to me was how The Ugly Stepsister effortlessly combines grotesque elements with deep emotion, a rare feat for many horror films. Beneath the stitched eyelids, the bloody scissors, and maggot-infested gowns, lies a story about self-worth and how it can be eroded by others. In essence, this is a tragedy, and by the end, I wasn’t sure if I was more affected by the violence or the profound sadness lurking beneath it all. The film’s dual nature is what leaves a lasting impression. After all, causing a jump scare is simple, but to linger in one’s mind days later requires something unique and haunting.
In a striking reinterpretation, the film titled “The Ugly Stepsister” reshapes its narrative, intensifies its grittiness, and invites you to feel a tinge of pain as you watch it unfold. By the climax, the movie metamorphoses into something almost mythical. Contrary to the conventional “happily ever after,” this tale leaves an indelible imprint of despair. Instead, it serves as a chilling reminder that fairy tales were essentially cautionary tales from their inception. With uncanny skill and palpable dread, Blichfeldt breathes life into all the ominous undertones and brooding shadows inherent in the stories penned by the Grimm brothers, projecting them onto the screen. It’s fearless, it’s grotesque, and hauntingly poignant. This film is destined to be a topic of conversation when 2025 fades into history.
You can stream The Ugly Stepsister on Prime Video.
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2025-08-16 19:41