This film is based on Chinese folklore, later becoming a story retold and adapted by many cultures, with vastly different tones and themes, the first film adaptation was 'Cendrillon' (1899).
The film is a must-see masterpiece in a sea of beauty themed horror films that came out around the same time, another great one being 'The Substance' (2024).
The visual style is excellent, lush costumes and sets are made even more dramatic by skillful and moody lighting, it's a pastel dream and nightmare.
The comedy is another highlight, the film is not taking it's theme beauty standard theme too seriously, it's being playful and absurd with the audience.
Myren gives a stellar lead performance, raw vulnerability and simmering rage, while Næss weaponizes charm and cruelty with unsettling ease; their dynamic is messy, believable, and often painfully funny.
The film is really gross, with all manner of horrifying body horror procedures explored, you might have to look away for some of the gruesome gore.

Directed by rookie Emilie Blichfeldt, this modern masterpiece was their directorial debut and we can't wait to see what they create next.

'The Ugly Stepsister' cast features: Lee Myren, Ane Dahl Torp, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Flo Fagerli, Isac Calmroth, Malte Gårdinger, Ralph Carlsson, and others.

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