I like to consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur when it comes to the world of horror. I’ve seen some of the best – and worst – of what recent years have had to offer. I’ve reeled in shock at The Substance and embraced cult classics like Evil Dead – and my 2025 pick of the year is already available to stream on Amazon Prime.
This year has already been jam-packed with Hollywood offerings, including the latest Final Destination flick which was a rip-roaring bloodbath in all the best ways. Video game adaptation Until Dawn had great visuals and a disappointing story. Opus – whether you consider it a ‘true’ horror or not – was a subversive blend of artistry and gore. But the best hidden gem horror I can suggest is actually a Norwegian 2025 release.
The Ugly Stepsister was released in February this year, and tells a twisted Cinderella story from the point of view of the ‘ugly’ stepsister, Elvira (Lea Myren). In the movie, Cinderella is better known as Agnes, whose father marries the ‘evil stepmother’ Rebekka before the families are both plunged into a spiral of debt. Agnes’ father dies on his wedding night, forcing Rebekka to attempt to marry off her daughters to the prince.
Except the prince is not what he seems, and Elvira is so desperate to impress him that she resorts to extreme measures. Spoiler: there’s a tapeworm involved. There’s also some brutal surgery scenes, horrendous gore and, at the heart of it, a character-driven plot that will tug at your heartstrings in the most unexpected places.
The movie is streaming now on Shudder, which offers a seven-day free trial via its own website or through Amazon Prime. Afterwards, the service charges £4.99 per month.
I’m not the only one who considers the film a masterpiece. Reviews from other viewers have hailed it “thought-provoking, interesting and bloody disgusting”, with another writing: “Rarely does a film manage to be as visually hypnotic and emotionally unsettling as The Ugly Stepsister.
“From its opening moments, it announces itself with a bold, feverish energy that never really lets go. This isn’t a retelling for the faint of heart, but it is a masterclass in genre-bending storytelling that dares to be as grotesque as it is strangely beautiful.”