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…
Lea Myren is introduced as the titular character, Elvira, in Emilie Blichfeldt’s feature-length directorial debut, The Ugly Stepsister, which also stars Ane Dahl Torp (The Wave) and Thea Sofie Loch Naess (The Last Kingdom). This homage to Charles Perrault’s classic fairytale, Cinderella, is a far cry from the animated Disney musical. Blichfeldt’s vision is a far darker one; a bleak, dysmorphic body-horror that boldly tackles the extremes that some will go through for the appearance of beauty.
To call this film bold serves as much purpose as calling the sun bright. It is almost inconceivable that a feature-length debut could be this good. Even knowing the basics of the plot could not detract from the tour de force that is The Ugly Stepsister. It is Cinderella, right down to the magical realism that weaves its way into the mix of phenomenal acting, incredible casting, extraordinary storytelling and the violence and depravity that punctuate and accentuate all of the aforementioned.
Blichfeldt uses a form of almost casual nonchalance when addressing what are obviously difficult or taboo topics. Purity, chastity, self-harm, mutilation, cosmetic surgery…everything is on full-frontal display and thankfully so; the film’s strength is its blasé approach to these topics—almost like they are the most natural things in the world.
As we approach the third act, we truly start to despise the nature of humanity within the film. The antiquated treatment of women as objects; the disregard for one’s personal health in the pursuit of beauty; the debaucherous and heinous things we do for wealth and power—what starts as dark folklore and fantasy turns to absolute horror. Arguably one of the best horror films of the year.
Myren is absolutely outstanding in her role as the ‘ugly’ stepsister—a performance that will thrust her into a spotlight for sure. She was not the sole star that appeared though. Thea Sofie Loch Næss was a beautiful and broken iteration of Cinderella and Ane Dahl Torp gives us an award-worthy evil stepmother. I could not pick a favourite if you held a gun to my head; each bringing a powerful part of a whole.
I really can’t find fault with much in this film. Viewers may be a little disappointed with the somewhat rushed, admittedly chaotic ending. I felt sufficient closure though, with great symbolism in the crows and the worm. While it worked for me, it may be to everyone’s fancy. The same can be said of the films intensely graphic nature—the squeamish and prudish will both find this a hard watch. I personally loved it all.
Thanks for reading and as always, stay sordid. The Ugly Stepsister will be in US cinemas from the 18th of April and UK Cinemas from the 25th of April. The newly released poster and the trailer are below.
