Written and directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, The Ugly Stepsisteris a subversive body horror that twists the familiar tale of Cinderella and gives us a psychological beauty-is-pain ride that is as explosive as it is encompassing. What I love most about period pieces is their ability to explore societal expectations, for women especially, that still reflect our present day. The Ugly Stepsister is gruesome and sees the title character going through a number of painful procedures and actions to marry the prince. As a woman, I found it a painful yet astute exploration of manufactured beauty and its horrifying results.
