by Emilie Blichfeldt
The Ugly Stepsister
Drama/horror / Norway/Sweden / 109 min / 2025 / Swedish premiere
A dark and visceral reimagining of the Cinderella tale, told through the lens of body horror. Elvira, a teenager obsessed with fitting into a toxic beauty-obsessed world, is pushed by her stepmother into extreme cosmetic procedures — including swallowing a tapeworm — to win the prince’s attention. A brutal and satirical take on society’s obsession with perfection.
Director & Writer: Emilie Blichfeldt
Cinematography: Marcel Zyskind
Editing: Olivia Neergaard‑Holm
Music: John Erik Kaada; Vilde Tuv
Languages: Norwegian
Cast:
Lea Myren as Elvira
Thea Sofie Loch Næss as Agnes
Ane Dahl Torp as Rebekka (stepmother)
Flo Fagerli as Alma
Isac Calmroth as Prince Julian
Malte Gårdinger as Isak
Ralph Carlsson as Otto
