One horror film has been dubbed so ‘grotesque’ that a viewer threw up at the premiere.
From The Substance to Nosferatu, horror films definitely had their moment in 2024, and it seems to be carrying into the new year, with the latest debut at the Sundance Film Festival proving to be too much for some.
The Ugly Stepsister, the Norwegian film which is titled Den stygge stesøsteren in its native language, debuted at the film festival this week and has some scenes so graphic they caused a viewer to vomit after watching.
Written and directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, the film is based in a place where physical beauty is of utmost importance and follows a woman named Elvira, played by Lea Myren, as she resorts to extreme measures in order to look as good as her sister.
On her mission to better her looks, she undergoes many intense procedures, including eating a tapeworm, having graphic cosmetic surgery, as well as many other body horror moments.
Screenrant reporter said: ‘The film’s fairy tale setting makes its body horror moments all the more visceral and disgusting. One scene late in the film is truly sickening, so it doesn’t surprise me that someone vomited during the premiere.’
Meanwhile, Variety claimed someone at Sundance was so affected by a scene that they threw up in the middle of the aisle mid-screening.
The bold claim has not yet been verified, and journalist Jeff Goldsmith has disputed it, insisting on X that he was sitting next to the person and they were unwell for other reasons.
He also said the film: ‘completely rocks and is great body horror’, going as far as to compare them to Giallo, which is an Italian horror movie genre known for violence, eroticism and psychological themes.
Despite the dispute on the claim, it’s earning plenty of attention online and instead of causing people to turn away from seeing the film, it’s instead provoking curiosity.
Taking to X, @ShadowSiren666 tagged their friend, adding: ‘I’m going to need you to review this when it’s out’.
@theheadknight wrote: ‘I am so insanely excited about this movie!’
Elsewhere, one cautious fan, @Kim67670594 said: ‘Maybe I’ll wait and watch it on a smaller screen.’
If you’re not completely sold on the twisted tale, its score on Rotten Tomatoes may cause a change of heart as its debut has resulted in an almost perfect score on the film and TV show rating website.
Sitting at a 97% positive rating, reviews have praised the one-hour, 45-minute production as ‘tear-jerking’, ‘savagely brutal’, ‘strangely beautiful’ and filled with ’emotional range’.
Chris Bumbray declared it is: ‘The body horror version of Cinderella you never knew you wanted.’
‘The Ugly Stepsister is sure to thrill, and its biggest accomplishment is retelling a familiar story without ever finding itself cast in the shadow of any iteration. Beauty is brutal, and Emilie Blichfeldt understands that,’ Kate Sanchez wrote.
Therese Lacson added: ‘While The Ugly Stepsister isn’t perfect — there are a few loose ends that Blichfeldt does not tie up well — it’s a horrific, grotesque, and superb debut feature that nails its message.’
An exact release date for the film has not yet been announced. However, it has been revealed that Shudder has acquired the rights to distribute it in North America, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
It’s expected to be released on the streaming platform this year.
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