Ahead of hitting U.S. theaters on April 18 and U.K. theaters on April 25, Emilie Blichfeldt’s stomach-churning body horror The Ugly Stepsister debuts some new images today that preview the exquisite costume design from Manon Rasmussen (Melancholia).
The IFC Films and Shudder release stars Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, and Ane Dahl Torp, the Norwegian-language horror was also written by Blichfeldt. The sinister twist on the classic Cinderella story is already making waves during its festival rounds, causing one audience member to lose their lunch during the Sundance premiere, and winning the Audience Award at this year's Overlook Film Festival.
Heading to Shudder sometime later this year, The Ugly Stepsister‘s logline reads as follows:
Elvira 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 to become the belle of the ball.
The film is a darkly twisted reimagining of Cinderella, adhering closely to the grimmest versions of the tale. It centers on Elvira's relentless quest for beauty at any cost. Instead of fairy tale silkworms, this story features tapeworms. It includes decomposing bodies, satirical body horror, and a 19th-century surgical transformation. This macabre yet humorous film critiques the beauty industry, which promotes body image as a pathway to desirability, success, and social status. Despite her insecurity, we sympathize with Elvira as she becomes entangled in her greedy mother's extreme beautification scheme, driven by a desire for acceptance and a happily-ever-after.
Manon, who has also worked on Another Round and A Royal Affair, as well as all of Lars Von Trier's movies, was inspired by classic fairytale fixtures for her costuming, with Blichfeldt remaking:
“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.”
Check out the new images ofThe Ugly Stepsister, and for more on The Ugly Stepsister, grab yourself a copy of the upcoming issue of FANGORIA.
