"Sis of Cinderella": a dreadful film centering on Cinderella's sibling, who relinquishes all in pursuit of physical perfection and beauty.
Ugly Stepsister's Dark Twist
Meet Elvira, the awkward, shy girl who finds herself caught in a warped beauty competition in director Emily Blichfeldt's gritty take on the classic Cinderella tale. Dubbed "The Ugly Stepsister", this body horror film positions Elvira as a victim of societal pressures and toxic beauty norms, a stark contrast to the princess-to-be, Agnes.
Gone are the cheesy makeovers and glossy happy endings typical of rom-coms. Elvira takes things to the extreme, undergoing grueling surgeries and drastic measures to transform herself, all under the watchful eye of a surgeon fondly called "Aesthetic". From reshaping her nose to attaching surgical eyelashes and using tapeworms for rapid weight loss, Elvira's journey is a far cry from the fairy tale's traditional "ugly duckling to swan" trope.
The horror aesthetic in this film is a unique blend of romance, reminiscent of Sophia Coppola's movies, and dark, eerie fairy tale atmospheres. Young heroines in frilly dresses dance at balls and indulge in sweet pastries, only to retreat to scenes of self-mutilation, shot in cool, lifeless tones.
Inspired by the Masters
Emily Blichfeldt's work draws obvious inspiration from the horror king, David Cronenberg. However, the revulsion in "The Ugly Stepsister" is less about shock and more about stirring empathy for Elvira, who sees himself mutilated as she waits for her prince, who falls far short of perfection.
Empowering Female Characters
At its core, "The Ugly Stepsister" is a critique of attempts to cater to male beauty standards and the destructive consequences they can have. Elvira's fear of rejection by the prince turns into a desire to maim her body for a successful marriage. "Elvira is a victim of others who told her 'You look wrong,' 'Do this, do that,' or did it to her themselves," explains Blichfeldt, elaborating on her heroine's descent into self-harm.
The film also portrays Agnes, the seemingly perfect blonde, in a complex and tragic light. Forced to play the role of a servant at home while receiving universal adoration outside, Agnes marries the prince to escape her domestic servitude and lost love. Agnes and Elvira find themselves in similar predicaments, both trapped in a world where a woman's worth is measured by her desirability in the marriage market.
Relevance and Impact
In a time when plastic surgery is experiencing a resurgence, thanks to social media trends, "The Ugly Stepsister" offers a fresh take on the age-old fairy tale. Those unaffected by this trend will find themselves surprised by Emily Blichfeldt's provocative and unexpected reinterpretation of the well-known story. "The Ugly Stepsister" stands out as a relevant and thought-provoking commentary on societal beauty standards and the impact they can have on female identity and agency.
[1] "The Ugly Stepsister:" A Feminist body horror retelling of Cinderella[2] "Emily Blichfeldt’s 'The Ugly Stepsister' Challenges Toxic Beauty Standards"[3] "The Resurgence of Plastic Surgery and its Impact on Young People"
Life, amidst the backdrop of entertainment such as movies-and-tv, serves as a reflection of societal beauty standards in Emily Blichfeldt's film, "The Ugly Stepsister". This body horror retelling of Cinderella confronts viewers with the dark repercussions of adhering to these norms, offering a thought-provoking commentary on their influence on female identity and agency.
