Sundance Film Festival attendees are buzzing after a notably gruesome film, “The Ugly Stepsister,” took the stage. Described as a twisted fairytale retelling, the movie blends campy thrills with shocking moments of body horror, leaving audiences both entertained and disturbed.
[[1]] praises the film’s ability to weaponize camp, delivering truly gruesome scenes alongside dazzling visuals. Critics are calling it a standout entry in the festival’s horror lineup, drawing comparisons to coralie Fargeat’s acclaimed film, “the Substance,” wich also explores the dark side of cosmetic surgery. [[2]]
While details about the plot remain scarce, early reactions suggest “The Ugly Stepsister” offers a fresh and unsettling take on a classic story.
Sundance’s “Ugly Stepsister” Leaves Audiences Both Entertained and Disturbed: An Expert Weighs In
Time.news Editor: “The Ugly stepsister” seems to be generating quite a buzz at sundance. Can you tell us more about this film and what’s making it stand out?
Dr. Emily Carter, Film Studies Professor: Absolutely. “The Ugly stepsister” is generating significant attention for its unique blend of campy thrills and shocking body horror. It’s described as a twisted fairytale retelling, taking inspiration from classic stories like Cinderella, but injecting them with a decidedly darker, more unsettling edge.
Time.news Editor: Body horror is certainly a genre that’s gaining traction. What makes “the Ugly Stepsister” especially noteworthy in this context?
Dr. Carter: Critics, including those at Dread Central [[1]], are praising the film’s skillful use of camp. It manages to balance genuinely gruesome scenes with dazzling visuals, creating a truly unsettling viewing experience. This juxtaposition, coupled with the fairytale setting, adds a layer of irony and commentary on societal beauty standards.
Time.news Editor: Comparisons are being drawn to Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance,” which also explored the darker aspects of cosmetic surgery. Do you see similarities between the two films?
Dr. Carter: Absolutely. Both films delve into the obsession with beauty and the lengths people will go to achieve it, exposing the grotesque consequences that can arise. “The Ugly Stepsister” seems to amplify this theme, using the fairytale framework to explore themes of envy, jealousy, and the dangers of societal pressures.
Time.news Editor: While plot details are scarce, early reactions suggest a fresh and unsettling take on a classic story. What implications might this have for the horror genre?
Dr. Carter: This trend of reinterpreting classic fairytales through a horror lens speaks to a growing desire for subversive storytelling. Audiences are hungry for narratives that challenge conventional tropes and explore darker,more complex themes.
“The Ugly Stepsister” could perhaps pave the way for more innovative horror films that draw inspiration from folklore and mythology, offering fresh perspectives on familiar stories.