The Ugly Stepsister
The Ugly Stepsister Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 18, 2026
Movie Overview: The Ugly Stepsister
| Movie | The Ugly Stepsister |
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Director | Emilie Blichfeldt |
| Genre | Horror / Comedy / Drama |
| Runtime | 109 minutes (1h 49m) |
| Language | NO |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Ugly Stepsister (2025) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Ugly Stepsister are led by Lea Myren . The supporting cast, including Ane Dahl Torp and Thea Sofie Loch Næss , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Ugly Stepsister stands out as a strong entry in the Horror genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Horror narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Ugly Stepsister has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Horror fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Ugly Stepsister
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2025, The Ugly Stepsister is a Horror, Comedy, Drama film directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, written by Emilie Blichfeldt. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Lea Myren as Elvira.
What Is the Story of The Ugly Stepsister?
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. In a fairy-tale kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira battles to compete with her incredibly beautiful stepsister, and she will go to any length to catch the prince’s eye. Director Emilie Blichfeldt uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
How Is The Ugly Stepsister Structured?
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone of The Ugly Stepsister, hinting at the terror to come. Emilie Blichfeldt establishes the rules of this world before introducing Lea Myren as Elvira to its dangers.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Lea Myren's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing Lea Myren to confront the source of horror directly. Emilie Blichfeldt's resolution provides adequate resolution.
Ending Explained: The Ugly Stepsister
The Ugly Stepsister Ending Explained: In a fairy-tale kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira battles to compete with her incredibly beautiful stepsister, and she will go to any length to catch the prince’s eye. Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, this 2025 horror film stars Lea Myren (Elvira), alongside Ane Dahl Torp as Rebekka, Thea Sofie Loch Næss as Agnes, Flo Fagerli as Alma. Rated 7.3/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.
What Happens at the End of The Ugly Stepsister?
In a fairy-tale kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira battles to compete with her incredibly beautiful stepsister, and she will go to any length to catch the prince’s eye.
How Does Lea Myren (Elvira)'s Story End?
- Lea Myren: Lea Myren's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Emilie Blichfeldt delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 49m runtime.
- Ane Dahl Torp (Rebekka): Ane Dahl Torp's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Thea Sofie Loch Næss (Agnes): Thea Sofie Loch Næss's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Ugly Stepsister Mean?
The ending of The Ugly Stepsister ties together the narrative threads involving Lea Myren. Emilie Blichfeldt chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes. Based on 1,153 audience ratings, the consensus is that the ending is adequate but divisive.
The Ugly Stepsister Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Ugly Stepsister Based on a True Story?
No, The Ugly Stepsister is a work of fiction. While the horror, comedy, drama film directed by Emilie Blichfeldt and starring Lea Myren may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch The Ugly Stepsister?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Lea Myren or the director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Box Office Collection: The Ugly Stepsister
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4.3M |
| Worldwide Gross | $5.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Ugly Stepsister Budget
The estimated production budget for The Ugly Stepsister is $4.3M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Where to Watch The Ugly Stepsister Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
MUBI
MUBI Amazon ChannelThe Ugly Stepsister Parents Guide & Age Rating
2025 AdvisoryWondering about The Ugly Stepsister age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Ugly Stepsister (2025) is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, the film runs for 109 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Ugly Stepsister is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2025 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Ugly Stepsister worth watching?
The Ugly Stepsister is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 7.3/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Ugly Stepsister parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Ugly Stepsister identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Ugly Stepsister (2025)?
The runtime of The Ugly Stepsister (2025) is 109 minutes (approximately 1h 49m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.




