Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thrillers and the supernatural, announced that they have acquired the North American, UK, and ANZ rights to THE UGLY STEPSISTER, which is set to open the Midnight Section at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
The film marks the feature debut from Norwegian writer and director Emilie Blichfeldt, and stars Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, and Ane Dahl Torp.
A sinister twist on the classic Cinderella story, THE UGLY STEPSISTER 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.
Said Director Emilie Blichfeldt, “I am beyond thrilled to bring THE UGLY STEPSISTER to Sundance and ultimately to a wider audience alongside my incredible team and in partnership with Shudder. This beauty horror twist on Cinderella is inspired by The Brothers Grimm version and by my own struggles with body image. My goal is to provoke both empathy and discomfort, and inspire audiences to reflect upon their perceptions of, and relationship to, beauty."
“THE UGLY STEPSISTER turns a classic fairytale inside out with twisted depictions of shocking burlesque body horror at its best,” said SVP of Shudder Acquisitions and Production Emily Gotto. “Emilie Blichfeldt’s first time feature is an astonishing accomplishment and we’re proud to debut her film on Shudder later next year.”
The film is produced by Maria Ekerhovd in Norway for Mer Film (The Innocents, War Sailor, Joachim Trier’s upcoming feature Sentimental Value).
It is co-produced by Lizette Jonjic for Zentropa Sweden (Another Round), Mariusz Włodarski for Poland’s Lava Films (The Girl With The Needle, Sweat), Theis Nørgaard for Denmark’s Motor (The Dead Don't Hurt), Zefyr and Film i Väst, with support from the Norwegian Film Institute, the Polish Production Incentive and the Polish Film Institute, the Swedish Film Institute, the Danish Film Institute, Eurimages, DR, Nordisk Film & Tv Fond, Vestnorsk Filmsenter.
The deal was negotiated by Emily Gotto on behalf of Shudder and Alexandre Moreau, Head of Sales at Memento International, on behalf of the filmmakers.
THE UGLY STEPSISTER will be released on Shudder in 2025.
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