Shudder's The Ugly Stepsister, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, offers a darkly comedic and surprisingly poignant take on the classic fairy tale. This isn't your grandmother's Cinderella story.
While details about the plot remain scarce to avoid spoilers, the film cleverly subverts expectations, focusing on the often-ignored perspective of the stepsister. The screening revealed a clever script with sharp dialogue and memorable characters, moving beyond simple good versus evil tropes. The performances were uniformly strong, adding depth and complexity to the familiar narrative.
The film's dark humor is handled with a deft touch, balancing moments of genuine levity with unsettling undercurrents. This creates a unique viewing experience that keeps you engaged and guessing. While the overall tone is dark, the film also explores themes of family, identity, and societal expectations with unexpected sensitivity.
The Ugly Stepsister promises to be a refreshing and unsettling addition to Shudder's lineup when it streams in 2025. It's a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, prompting reflection on the stories we tell and the perspectives we often overlook.
