Just ahead of its cinematic release on April 18th next month, IFC Films and Shudder have unveiled an all-new trailer for Emilie Blichfeldt's gut-wrenching body horror flick, "The Ugly Stepsister," starring Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, and Ane Dahl Torp. Penned by Blichfeldt herself, this Norwegian-language horror film offers a sinister spin on the timeless tale of Cinderella.
Slated for a Shudder debut later this year, "The Ugly Stepsister" dives into the story of Elvira, a character determined to win the prince's heart at any price. In a realm where beauty is a ruthless endeavor, Elvira finds herself in fierce competition with the ravishing and enchanting Agnes to secure the title of the ball's belle.
The film serves as a dark and twisted reinterpretation of Cinderella, closely mirroring the tale's grimmest iterations. It centers around Elvira's unyielding pursuit of beauty, regardless of the cost. Swapping out fairy tale silkworms, this narrative features tapeworms, decaying corpses, satirical body horror, and a 19th-century surgical transformation. This macabre yet humorous flick takes a critical stance on the beauty industry, which portrays body image as the key to desirability, success, and social standing. Despite her insecurities, we find ourselves empathizing with Elvira as she gets caught up in her greedy mother's extreme beautification plot, fueled by her yearning for acceptance and a happily-ever-after.
In case you're skeptical about "The Ugly Stepsister's" body horror credentials, let us remind you of the Sundance Premiere incident where an unfortunate viewer was compelled to throw up in the aisle – a perfect horror movie marketing moment if there ever was one.
Catch the new trailer for "The Ugly Stepsister" below via Rotten Tomatoes and make sure to check out the film in theaters on April 18th.
