The Ugly Stepsister

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.

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.

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.

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 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'.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.