The Ugly Stepsister is a Norwegian language retelling of the Cinderella story from the ugly stepsister’s POV. And when the call for actresses to play the ugly stepsister goes out, that must be a tough decision to show up for the casting call.

This film follows a gritty, non-fantastical version of Cinderella, remixed so we can better side with the “ugly stepsister”. Her mother knows her daughters must marry wealthy so she puts the ugly one through hell to pretty her up using all the best cosmetic surgeries available a 19th century noble (which ain’t much and what there is is awful).

Yes, these ladies put up with a lot to look pretty. That includes some hammer-life dental work, a violent nose job, and more. This Cinderella story is body horror with a significant ick factor. I’m not saying it goes over the top like The Substance, but the two could make a girl’s night of it. In fact, Ugly Stepsister might just be more unsettling with its practical approach to gore and literal gut churning sound effects.

I enjoyed the way the film twists the Cinderella story in general, and how it humanizes (and pig-ifies) the handsome prince. Boys will be boys, I guess <rolls eyes>. It certainly shaves away the fairy tale and gives us a more believable, less charming prince.

I’d love to give this film a higher rating but it doesn’t hold up as well as it should, especially in its slightly saggy middle. It moves toward its logical conclusion at a bit of a slow pace… and since we all know the plot, it left me wishing it’d hurry up and get to the ball.

But it’s still a solid and unsettling film. It has a lot to say about the punishment of female beauty including their need to put themselves on literal display. It’s also just really gross… which is a net positive in my book. A Cinderella Story, Ever After, and take your pick should leave this ball early before someone vomits up something untoward. Ick factor 8!!

Score: 82