What Is ‘The Ugly Stepsister’ About?
However, not long after their marriage, Otto drops dead, leaving the women alone in the house.
Braces, a new nose, false lashes, questionable weight-loss tactics.
Image via Shudder
Her body image is steeped in self-loathing which is made worse by her mother.
Young women, we see, exist purely to be married off and traded to rich men.
While we do get a brief glimpse of a purer young love, it’s brutally cut short.
Image via Shudder
Agnes is not nearly as perfect as the storybook Cinderella is.
Before her transformation into Cinderella, she is selfish, spoiled, and pretentious.
No, she’s not evil, but she’s not exactly likable either.
Image by Jovelle Tamayo via Sundance Institute
Cinderella gets her happy ending.
Sophie Hyde’s personal tale about her father doesn’t hit the emotional heights it needs to.
Princes aren’t so dashing, the men around her who dress and reshape her are lecherous and predatory.
Not to mention a surprising amount of penises and butts.
The film is extremely physical and visceral.
There’s sex, violence, rotting bodies, and nudity.
Despite this, none of it is gratuitous or exploitative.
Blichfeldt is deliberate in how she frames each shot; nothing is ever there just to titillate.
Get ready to learn about the creepy, gross and funny movies that have gone under the radar.
(He’s no peach, Agnes, good luck with that one!)
Despite these unfinished plotlines,The Ugly Stepsisteris still a refreshing take on the classic Cinderella story.
The Ugly Stepsisterpremiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
