Step out of the way, Cinderella: Lea Myren gives life to the ugly stepsister

Norwegian actress and model Lea Myren makes a brilliant debut as Elvira in Den Stygge Stesøsteren (The Ugly Stepsister), a stomach-churning take on one of our childhood favourites. Watch out, though, this film is most certainly not for children.

Interpretations or remakes of fairy tales are hardly uncommon, and with the influx over the last few years, some might even argue that they are getting a bit old now. Den Stygge Stesøsteren by Norwegian writer and director Emilie Blichfeldt, however, is anything but. Its Sundance Film Festival debut not only drew in raving reviews, it also saw audiences vomiting and running for the exits. Not too bad for a first screening.

Told through the eyes of Elvira, Cinderella’s (Thea Sofie Loch Næss) ugly stepsister, the film takes us on the grotesque and vicious journey of a young girl who’s willing to do anything to win over Prince Charming (Isac Calmroth). Whoever fills the shoes of this Brothers Grimm fairy tale character must possess an unflinching brilliance – the kind that thrives in the realm of body horror. Enter Lea Mathilde Skar-Myren, nearly 24, lover of good music and yoga.

Lea Myren as Elvira, Cinderella’s ugly stepsister. Photo: Marcel Zyskind

Oslo girl takes on the silver screen

With bleach blonde brows, two wide-set doll eyes and an easy-going coolness to her, Myren is not what we would expect of a wicked, ugly stepsister. In fact, talking to her feels a bit like chatting to one of your long-distance girlfriends over FaceTime.  “Oh, that’s incredible, what do you write? And how’s Dublin?” she asks, diving right into friendly chatter.

Film is only one of her fortes. The first thing she tells about herself is that she loves art, everything from painting and sculpting to acting, and not only on the screen. In 2020, she graduated from her drama studies at Hartvig Nissen Videregående Skole in Oslo, then later took her studies to Paris, where she tried her hand at physical theatre. Her acting career, however, began long before she started drama school.

Before the bloody and ruthless metamorphosis of Cinderella’s ugly stepsister, Myren first emerged on the TV screen in NRK’s children show Superia. But she is, perhaps, best known for playing Maya, the lead in Jenter, the show that set off her career. Since, she has appeared in sitcoms and coming-of-age shows like Blank, Side om Side, Kids in Crime, and more.

Ready to take on the world – Lea Myren has just signed with a new management in the US. Photo: Rumi Baumann

“I started my acting career quite young with Jenter, a show that changed my life. It opened so many doors and gave me great opportunities. It did, however, also mean that I entered the spotlight quite early on, which I found challenging and a little embarrassing in my early teens, though I suppose teenagers find everything embarrassing,” she chuckles.

Not wanting to be branded as Maya forever, Myren took a short break from acting for a few years before returning to the industry in High School. “Acting is definitely my biggest passion, so it was natural to fall back into it,” she says. “I’ve also been very lucky to have been given the right roles at the right times, and then, of course, the role of Elvira came along.”

Most actors would consider Elvira a dream role due to the challenges along her journey, including the vast physical transformations and the emotionally evoking scenes. Myren is inclined to agree. “Elvira is everything and nothing; she takes things to extremes, allowing me to scream and get bloody. I love getting into the filth and dirt as an actress, so for my debut feature, this was a dream come true.”

Elvira is just another victim of a patriarchy,says Myren. Photo: Marcel Zyskind

No price too high for a fairy tale ending

In the fairy tale land of Den Stygge Stesøsteren, beauty is a bloody business. When an invitation to the ball is sent out and Elvira realises that this is her shot at winning the prince’s heart, she will do anything it takes. There is, however, a problem: Elvira is considered a bit of an ugly duckling. As well as setting out on a body-altering journey to becoming beautiful, she needs to ensure that her stunning stepsister Agnes (Cinderella) won’t get in her way.

Blichfeldt’s movie grabs the opportunity to shed light on body image and beauty expectations, in a harrowing and humorous way. While Elvira’s character makes a mound out of a molehill, her struggles reflect very real problems of many young women.

Photo: Carlo Haueter

“The stepsister, both in the original fairy tale and the Disney movies, has long been a symbol of all that is bad and wicked. In reality, though, she’s just another victim of a patriarchy,” says Myren. “Elvira is an innocent, insecure girl who only wants to be loved. That’s not to say she doesn’t do horrible things to get there, but it’s the process of trying to fit in that slowly but surely damages her.”

And the damage is not only psychological, but also physical. The movie plays on teeth-grinding body horror with dragged-out, grotesque images that will send your stomach turning. Not only does the stepsister undergo (historically accurate) medical procedures to attain beauty, but like in the original fairy tale, she also goes as far as chopping her toes off to fit into Cinderella’s slippers.

“It’s easy to laugh at the horror aspect because it only shows the extreme, but it’s also important to remember that this is truly how messed up our society is. People do cut themselves up, remove and put things into their bodies. We take pills, throw up, chop off fat, and so on – there are so many grotesque ways for women in particular to become beautiful, all in order to fit in.”

Behind the scenes of The Ugly Stepsister.

Talking about body issues

The young actress criticises the role of both the entertainment industry and social media for setting and promoting these standards. In her view, young people are constantly exposed to videos about how to get thinner, botox and more, which pushes a narrative about an ideal body or face.

“Our bodies and minds are so delicate when we’re young, so I find the system we live in dangerous. In a world where large companies reign and the beauty industry has so much power, it’s easy to capitalise on people’s insecurities and to sell beauty as a payment for love,” she says. “I hope that Den Stygge Stesøsteren can inspire kinder conversations about body, weight and beauty ideals, especially for young people. We shouldn’t give up the power we hold over our own bodies.”

Beyond the message, Myren describes the feature as an incredible piece made by a team of strong women. And if the movie calls to you, but you’re skittish, don’t let the Sundance puke party scare you off. “The horror elements are built up over time in an almost Cronenberg-esque style, so you will see it coming and have plenty of time to close your eyes and ears. It is worth a watch though. Elvira is a character that can mean so much to so many, and despite everything, she is actually lovable.”

With the success of Den Stygge Stesøsteren, Myren has just signed with a new management in the US, with her eyes wandering to other parts of the world too. While it is impossible to know what comes next, the future is undoubtedly exciting, perhaps horrifically so.

The Ugly Stepsister will be in US cinemas from 18 April and in UK cinemas from 25 April.

Photo: Lea Myren