The Ugly Stepsister 2025

Comedy

Drama

Horror

Sci-Fi

Box Office

$886K

Runtime

1 h 45 m

Language

Norwegian

Directed by

Emilie Blichfeldt

Made by

Mer Film

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Ugly Stepsister (2025). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Elvira and Alma are two sisters navigating the complex dynamics of family and societal expectations after their mother, Rebekka, marries an older man in pursuit of wealth and status. This union brings them into the life of Agnes, the daughter from her new husband’s previous marriage. Shortly following the wedding night, tragedy strikes as Agnes’ father passes away, leaving the family in a precarious financial situation, revealing that he was actually broke.

In a desperate bid to secure a prosperous future, Rebekka decides it would be best to marry off one of her daughters, settling on Elvira since Alma is still too young. Although Elvira harbors fantasies of winning the affections of the charming Prince Julian, Rebekka is acutely aware of the societal view that her daughter may not meet the conventional standards of beauty. As stress builds around the looming competition for Julian’s attention from Agnes, who is perceived as more attractive, Rebekka embarks on a drastic plan to enhance Elvira’s desirability.

In a series of agonizing procedures, Elvira undergoes surgeries and artificially manipulates her body by swallowing a tapeworm to attain her ideal weight. This journey becomes profoundly isolating as Elvira’s admiration for Agnes warps into bitter resentment, fueled by her belief that Agnes possesses talents and beauty without any effort. Everything comes to a head when Elvira discovers Agnes in an intimate encounter with Isak, a stableman. In a fit of anger, she informs Rebekka, who swiftly punishes Agnes by demoting her to a servant, turning her into a modern-day Cinderella.

As the royal ball approaches, Elvira’s health declines because of her drastic measures to fit the image of a princess, resulting in hair loss and malnutrition. The tension escalates when Rebekka’s relentless pursuit of beauty for Elvira pushes her daughter into uncomfortable situations, such as an inappropriate advance from a dress seller, further igniting the animosity between the sisters. A chaotic night follows as Alma experiences her first period alone, while Agnes is haunted by memories of her father, receiving ghostly warnings from her mother about the ball’s timing.

When the ball finally arrives, Elvira captures the attention of Prince Julian, but his gaze soon shifts to the mysterious Agnes. Devastated, Elvira finds herself regurgitating the consequences of her unhealthy choices. As the evening unfolds, both sisters return home, leading to a shocking twist where Elvira tries to secure her chance by commandeering Agnes’ lost slipper, revealing her desperate and twisted determination as she resorts to cutting off her toes to fit into it.

In a moment of horror, Elvira’s method is interrupted by Rebekka, who coldly sedates her. The following day, as Elvira is on the brink of despair, she realizes her efforts have been in vain as Agnes finds true love with the prince. In a moment of clarity brought on by her sister’s plea, Elvira takes an antidote and expels the tapeworm, symbolizing her decision to break free from their mother’s oppressive grip. Ultimately, the sisters join forces to reclaim their lives away from Rebekka’s suffocating expectations, signifying a new beginning as Rebekka, oblivious to their rebellion, pursues newfound romantic interests from the ball.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Ugly Stepsister (2025) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Rebekka's Marriage

Rebekka marries an older man in hopes of elevating her family's social status. This union introduces Agnes, his daughter from a previous marriage, into their household, altering the family dynamic significantly.

Agnes' Father's Death

On the night of Rebekka's wedding, tragedy strikes as Agnes' father dies unexpectedly. The family soon discovers that he was penniless, leaving them in a dire situation as they grapple with their financial realities.

Rebekka's Desperate Measures

Worried about her daughters' futures, Rebekka decides to arrange a marriage for one of them to secure wealth. She chooses Elvira, believing Alma is too young and that Elvira, despite her unattractive appearance, must be made more desirable.

Elvira's Transformation

In a bid to change Elvira’s looks, Rebekka subjects her to painful surgeries and encourages her to swallow a tapeworm to lose weight. As Elvira's appearance changes, her self-esteem plummets while she harbors resentment towards Agnes.

Elvira's Betrayal

Elvira discovers Agnes in a compromising situation with Isak, a stable hand. In a moment of jealousy and spite, she informs Rebekka, leading to Agnes being demoted to the status of a servant, earning her the nickname 'Cinderella'.

Malnourishment and Desperation

As the days pass and the royal ball approaches, Elvira's obsession with becoming fit for a prince results in severe malnourishment. Her health deteriorates as the tapeworm inside her grows, with visible signs like hair loss becoming apparent.

The Dress Fitting Incident

During a fitting for her ball gown, Elvira experiences further humiliation when the dress seller makes advances towards Agnes. Agnes' defiance only leads to more punishment from Rebekka, highlighting the abusive dynamic at play within the family.

Agnes' Magical Moment

As Agnes mourns over her late father's body, she receives shoes from her biological mother. This moment foreshadows the magic that will soon surround her as she prepares for the ball, contrasting with Elvira's dark journey.

The Royal Ball

At the much-anticipated ball, Elvira initially captures the interest of Prince Julian. However, her moment of glory is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of the veiled Agnes, leaving Elvira feeling inadequate and neglected.

The Slipper Incident

After the ball, Elvira discovers that Agnes has inadvertently left behind a slipper that will allow Julian to identify her. In a fit of rage, Elvira forces Agnes to give up the other shoe, doing anything to claim what she believes is her rightful place.

Desperate Measures

When Elvira realizes that her feet are too large for the slippers, she resorts to severing her own toes. This horrific act is interrupted by Rebekka and Alma, underscoring the family's toxic environment as they react to Elvira's self-mutilation.

Confrontation and Breakdown

The morning after her drastic measures, Elvira hears trumpets announcing the prince's arrival. In a moment of despair, she falls down the stairs and confronts the reality that her sacrifices were in vain, as Agnes and the prince are meant to be.

Sisters Unite

Defeated and broken, Elvira finally takes an antidote after her sister Alma pleads with her. The two sisters unite in their decision to escape their mother's oppressive grasp, realizing they deserve a life free of her toxicity.

Rebekka's New Pursuits

In the aftermath of their flight, Rebekka is left alone and begins eyeing a man she met at the ball. This final scene suggests that while the children seek freedom, Rebekka remains entrenched in her quest for wealth and status.

Characters

Explore all characters from The Ugly Stepsister (2025). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Elvira

Elvira is a young woman driven by societal pressures to conform to beauty standards. She is ambitious yet deeply insecure, leading her to resort to extreme measures to compete with her stepsister. Her transformation reveals the painful impacts of jealousy and manipulation on her character.

👸 Ambition 😡 Jealousy 💄 Beauty

Agnes

Agnes is the beautiful stepdaughter who becomes the target of envy from her stepsister Elvira. Despite the cruelty she endures, Agnes embodies resilience and inner strength. Her character represents the struggle against societal judgment and familial betrayal.

👑 Resilience 💔 Sacrifice 💖 Beauty

Rebekka

Rebekka is the manipulative mother whose obsession with wealth and social status drives her to exploit her daughters. Her actions exemplify the toxic dynamic between parental expectations and children’s self-worth. She represents the darker side of maternal ambition.

😈 Manipulation 💰 Ambition 🏴‍☠️ Cruelty

Setting

Learn where and when The Ugly Stepsister (2025) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The story unfolds in a historical context reminiscent of fairy tales, where societal norms dictate the importance of beauty and marriage. The elements of wealth, privilege, and family dynamics reflect universal themes that transcend specific time periods.

Location

Royal Ball, Family Home

The Royal Ball is a lavish and opulent event where the elite gather to showcase wealth and status. It serves as a pivotal setting in the story, highlighting the characters' desires for acceptance and love. The family home is where Elvira and Agnes face the harsh realities of their lives, filled with manipulation and competition fostered by their mother, Rebekka.

🏰 Royalty 🏡 Home

Themes

Discover the main themes in The Ugly Stepsister (2025). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💔

Jealousy

Jealousy is a central theme as Elvira's admiration for Agnes transforms into resentment. Feeling overshadowed by her stepsister's beauty, Elvira's actions reveal the destructive nature of envy within familial relationships, leading to a tragic rivalry.

👠

Beauty Standards

The narrative critiques societal pressures surrounding beauty, exemplified by Rebekka's extreme measures to enhance Elvira's appearance. The painful pursuit of acceptance and attractiveness leads to dire consequences, exploring the lengths individuals go to fit societal expectations.

🌪️

Betrayal

Betrayal runs rampant as the siblings' bond crumbles under their mother's manipulative schemes. Elvira's betrayal of Agnes ultimately leads to tragic outcomes, showcasing the impact of parental influence and the quest for approval on sibling relationships.

The Ugly Stepsister Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of The Ugly Stepsister (2025) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.

The ending of “The Ugly Stepsister” can be understood as a reflection of childhood innocence and the characters’ emotional journeys. After a series of surreal sequences, the protagonist, who had been starving herself to lose weight, takes an antidote to remove the tapeworm she ate to stay skinny. The act of puking out the worm symbolizes her desire to rid herself of her harmful obsession with appearance and find a more genuine sense of self. Throughout the film, she experiences fantasies of being with the prince, which are clearly just her imagination and not real, emphasizing her longing for acceptance and love.

As the story concludes, she and her sister ride off together, which is often interpreted as a return to their childlike innocence, now free from the pretenses and pressures they faced. The final scene often leaves viewers pondering the characters’ underlying familial tensions and personal struggles. Some fans notice a shot of a deceased figure, usually their father, suggesting that financial struggles are looming and that the family’s hardships might be more profound than they appeared. There is also a hint of emotional complexity surrounding their mother—her shame and distant behavior hint that her own past or secrets might be intertwined with the family’s difficulties. Ultimately, the ending underscores themes of innocence, healing, and the complex web of family relationships, leaving audiences with a poignant, open-ended sense of hope and unresolved emotion.**