Shudder Unleashes “The Ugly Stepsister” – A Twisted Cinderella Tale Hits Theaters April 18

A bloody new vision of Cinderella arrives in Emilie Blichfeldt’s body horror debut The Ugly Stepsister.

One of the most anticipated genre releases of the spring is nearly here: The Ugly Stepsister, the twisted new body horror feature from director Emilie Blichfeldt in her debut. Today, IFC Films and Shudder dropped a haunting batch of new stills to build excitement ahead of the film’s theatrical release on April 18.

International audiences won’t have to wait long—The Ugly Stepsister arrives in UK theaters on April 25 via our friends at Vertigo.

A nightmarish reimagining of the Cinderella tale, the film twists classic fairytale tropes into something far darker and more visceral. Early reactions point to a unique and layered narrative beneath the body horror, hinting at themes of identity, beauty, and revenge.

Check out the new images below and let us know if you’re planning to experience The Ugly Stepsister on the big screen next week!

IFC Films and Shudder are proud to share new exclusive images from THE UGLY STEPSISTER, a stylish and darkly entertaining fairy tale horror from writer and director Emilie Blichfeldt in her feature directorial debut. These exclusive images showcase the film's remarkable craftsmanship and visual style, particularly the costume design by Manon Rasmussen. Blichfeldt conducted extensive research early on, defining silhouettes, periods, and details that aligned with the film’s vision, even consulting with fashion icon Lady Amanda Harlech. Rasmussen welcomed Blichfeldt's input from the start and her legendary expertise—shaped by her work on films such as ANOTHER ROUND, A ROYAL AFFAIR, MELANCHOLIA and all of Lars von Trier’s films—brought a grounded authenticity to every piece. Blichfeldt remarked, "Manon has an unmatched talent for crafting costumes that feel like an extension of the character, incorporating worn, stitched textures to make the actors feel at home in their roles. Together, we play on Disney's iconic silhouettes for Cinderella and the stepsisters, tying these designs to the mid/late 1800s when cosmetic surgery was beginning to emerge in medical practice."

SYNOPSIS - A sinister twist on the classic Cinderella story, THE UGLY STEPSISTER follows Elvira (Lea Myren) as she prepares to earn the prince’s affection at any cost. In a kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira will compete with the beautiful and enchanting Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss) to become the belle of the ball.

A biting satire and cinematically exhilarating directorial debut, THE UGLY STEPSISTER is a timely examination of body image and beauty standards, identifying Emilie Blichfeldt as one of the most exciting new international filmmaking voices.