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The Ugly Stepsister Review
I probably don’t have to say this for a film that debuted at Sundance in January 2025 and distributed by the horror speciality subscription service Shudder but this film is very much not for children! It’s a Norwegian body horror.
A beautiful castle with a stunning backdrop of woodland, four noblewomen bedecked in fine dresses, and a handsome prince looking for a virginal bride. All the trademarks of a fairytale yet this tale is quite unlike any other!
Our protagonist, Elvira (Lea Myren), is the quintessential ‘ugly stepsister’. Though I must stress that ugly is rather an unfair description. Yes, Elvira may not possess the conventional ethereal beauty of Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Naess), her stepsister (the films Cinderella), but she is in no way ‘ugly’. If only Elvira could see this herself, or at the very least her own mother, Rebekka, could see it. Rebekka (Ane Dahl Torp) puts a new spin on the evil stepmother. Although she clearly wants what is best for her daughter (a rich husband), as well as for her family. After the untimely death of Rebekka’s new husband and Agnes’s father; Rebekka laments that no one wants a widow with “saggy tits and two hopeless daughters”. Elvira swears she will get married to provide for the family, but her mother tells her to “ look in the mirror, sweetheart”.
Elvira spends a lot of the movie woefully looking into the mirror. The teenager may not have access to a front-facing phone camera, but there is something oh-so-familiar about her despair. Elvira wears braces, and when those are pulled out to reveal her perfect teeth, it’s still not enough for her mother. After Rebekka chooses a more flattering shape from a brochure, Elvira is strapped down for a nose job as Dr Esthétique (Adam Lundgren) unceremoniously breaks her nose and attaches a (fittingly) medieval-looking device to her face in order to ‘shape’ the nose. Steampunk chic to be sure, but looks painful.
To the modern eye, Elvira’s methods to achieve ‘beauty’ may seem extreme; from swallowing a tapeworm egg to having eyelash extensions sewn (yes, sewn!) into her eyes. But this quest for perfection is disturbingly familiar. Is it any different from people injecting themselves with a neurotoxin or fillers into their faces? And with Ozempic taking the world by storm, tapeworms don’t seem that bizarre. In our way, we are all trying to fit into the coveted ‘slipper’ that is the narrow view of femininity and beauty.
The film was written by Emilie Blichfeldt and stands as her directorial debut. The script reflects her own struggles with body confidence. We feel empathy towards Elvira whilst watching her stare at her naked body in disgust, envying Agnes’s effortless beauty, even when her beautiful stepsister is demoted to a house servant. Elvira is asked to move to the back of the dance class, being told her natural talent is wasted on someone as ugly as her, while Agnes is met only with smiles and attention.
The film is littered with both metaphorical and physical phalluses, reminding us how these unfortunate women are being, repeatedly, crushed living under the patriarchy. The penultimate scenes are a tour de force of body horror where Elvira’s desperation for beauty and acceptance is made visible in all its ugly glory. Not for the faint-hearted or the weak-stomached!
Three stars.
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Anime Review: The Beginning After the End

Genre: Fantasy, Action, Isekai, Drama
Studio: Studio TBA (Co-production by TAPAS Media, Pine Jam, and Genco expected*)
Director: Not officially announced (rumored: Tetsuya Wakano, of The God of High School fame)
Voice Actors (Japanese Cast):
Arthur Leywin – Voiced by Yūma Uchida
Sylvie – Voiced by Kana Hanazawa
Virion – Voiced by Takehito Koyasu
Alice Leywin – Voiced by Maaya Sakamoto
Original Work: Based on the popular web novel and manhwa written by TurtleMe
Runtime: Approx. 24 minutes per episode
Number of Seasons: 1 (ongoing)
Number of Episodes: 13 (Season 1)
Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll (Licensed and streaming)
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In a world governed by magic and bloodlines, a mighty king named Grey dies only to be reborn as Arthur Leywin, a child prodigy in a world of mana, mythical beasts, and ancient secrets. Reincarnated into a new realm filled with elves, dwarves, and dragons, Arthur seeks not only to harness the power of magic—but to right the mistakes of his past life. Yet as he grows into his strength, he discovers that destiny has a far greater design in store for him—one that could shake the foundations of this world.
The Beginning After the End strikes a delicate balance between coming-of-age wonder and high fantasy action. It wears its isekai roots proudly, but what sets it apart is Arthur’s dual-layered maturity—born a king, reborn as a child, yet carrying the weight of both timelines in one soul.
Visually, the animation is clean and kinetic, especially in combat sequences. The world-building is immersive, from mana zones to beast-taming academies, though early episodes lean heavily into exposition. Voice acting is top-notch, particularly Yūma Uchida’s nuanced portrayal of Arthur’s internal conflict between youthful idealism and the shadows of his regal past.
The emotional arcs—especially Arthur’s bond with his family, his dragon companion Sylvie, and his budding responsibilities—add depth beyond the typical power-scaling narrative. That said, the pacing can occasionally feel uneven, and fans of the web novel may note some skipped details.
As a long-time genre enthusiast, I’m cautiously optimistic. This anime is clearly primed to explode in popularity, especially among fans of Mushoku Tensei, Solo Leveling, and Black Clover. If the studio maintains momentum into Season 2, it has the potential to become a cornerstone in modern fantasy anime.
Rating: 8.5/10 “A promising start to what could be a fantasy epic for the new generation.”
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A Riveting Rural Whodunit Rooted in Tradition Movie

Genre: Crime Thriller / Mystery
Run Time: Approximately 123 minutes
Studio: SRT Entertainments
Where to Watch: Streaming now on Aha (Telugu OTT platform)
Director: Ashok Teja
Writer: Sampath Nandi
Lead Cast: Hebah Patel, Vasishta N. Simha, Sai Ronak, Poojitha Ponnada, and George Maryan
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Odela is a gripping Telugu-language crime thriller that weaves the mysticism of rural India with the suspense of a murder mystery. Based on true events, the film is set in the culturally rich village of Odela, where a series of brutal murders shakes the community. When fear takes over, the villagers believe the killings are the work of a supernatural force, but a determined young trainee IPS officer decides to uncover the truth.
Ashok Teja makes a confident directorial debut, and with the support of seasoned writer Sampath Nandi, the film blends folklore and investigative elements seamlessly. The narrative doesn’t rely on jump scares or gore but rather on tension, cultural realism, and atmosphere, making it stand apart from typical crime thrillers.
Vasishta N. Simha delivers a strong and brooding performance as the local suspect whose silence hides secrets. Hebah Patel brings depth and credibility to her role as the determined officer, breaking stereotypes of female leads in regional thrillers. Sai Ronak and George Maryan round out the cast with solid support, while Poojitha Ponnada adds emotional texture to the story.
The cinematography captures the beauty and eeriness of the village setting, while the score subtly enhances the suspense. What truly stands out is the film’s effort to incorporate the Odela temple culture and beliefs into its storyline, making the mystery feel both grounded and unique.
Unique Setting: Odela village and its spiritual legacy are treated with respect, giving the film a haunting authenticity.
Strong Female Lead: Hebah Patel’s character is refreshingly written and well-acted.
Tight Storytelling: No unnecessary detours or filler content; the movie maintains its pace and tension throughout.
Cultural Depth: Balances folklore and realism without leaning too heavily on superstition.
Rating: 8/10
Odela is a tightly woven, atmospheric thriller that doesn’t rely on spectacle but rather storytelling and culture. It’s a solid step forward for Telugu cinema in the crime-thriller space and worth a watch for fans of mystery films that respect both narrative and regional authenticity.
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VidaayMuyarchi

“Vidaamuyarchi,” now streaming on Netflix, is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language action thriller directed and written by Magizh Thirumeni. Produced by Subaskaran Allirajah under Lyca Productions, the film boasts a runtime of 150 minutes. The narrative follows Arjun (Ajith Kumar) on a relentless quest to rescue his wife Kayal (Trisha Krishnan) after she is abducted by a mysterious group in Azerbaijan. The ensemble cast includes Arjun Sarja, Regina Cassandra, and Arav in pivotal roles.
Drawing inspiration from the 1997 American film “Breakdown,” “Vidaamuyarchi” offers a familiar storyline but is elevated by compelling performances. Ajith Kumar delivers a commendable portrayal of a husband battling against time and adversities, while Trisha Krishnan effectively captures the emotional depth of her character. The film’s cinematography by Om Prakash enhances the tension and atmosphere, and Anirudh Ravichander’s music complements the narrative’s intensity.
However, the film’s predictability and pacing issues may deter some viewers. Despite these shortcomings, “Vidaamuyarchi” provides an engaging experience for fans of the action thriller genre.
Rating: 6.5/10