In recent years, we’ve seen a trend of taking well-known public domain stories and giving them a dark, horror-filled twist. Films like Pride, Prejudice and Zombies and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter have already walked this path, and now Cinderella’s Revenge steps in to continue that tradition. But the big question is whether this retelling of the classic Cinderella story successfully merges the fairy tale with horror elements.
Plot Overview
The core of Cinderella’s Revenge remains familiar. Cinderella, played by Lauren Staerck, is mistreated by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. They mock and abuse her, much like in the original story, and the cruelty is exaggerated for effect. This sets the stage for the film’s dark twist. For much of the film, however, it feels like a straightforward, if quirky, Cinderella retelling. It’s not until the horror elements come into play that the film truly shifts in tone.
Lauren Staerck does her best to breathe life into Cinderella, a character who is often portrayed as passive and victimized. While she brings some charm to the role, the script doesn’t offer her much depth. In many situations, Cinderella appears frustratingly naive, which makes her eventual transformation into a vengeful force feel less credible. Despite receiving magical aid from her Fairy Godmother, her revenge spree lacks the power and fear you’d expect from someone gifted with supernatural abilities.
Revenge Served… Mildly
The stepfamily is portrayed in an over-the-top, almost cartoonish manner, which makes their eventual downfall particularly satisfying. Their grotesque behavior ensures that viewers root for their demise, and the audience is given a sense of catharsis when Cinderella finally takes her revenge. But while their comeuppance feels gratifying, the execution of the kills leaves something to be desired.
The film sets the tone with a gruesome opening decapitation, raising expectations for more intense and gory scenes. Unfortunately, this level of violence doesn’t hold up throughout. While there is some blood, most of the kills feel predictable and lack impact. The over-reliance on CGI, especially in the final scenes, further detracts from the horror, leaving some viewers disappointed.
Standout Performances
Stephanie Lodge shines as Katherine, the wicked stepmother. She embraces the role with full force, leaning into the character’s cruelty and making her someone audiences love to hate. Katherine’s interactions with Cinderella are cruel and degrading, providing a clear motivation for Cinderella’s eventual revenge. The stepsisters, Josephine and Rachel, played by Kelly Rian Sanson and Danielle Scott respectively, add to the loathsome atmosphere. Their selfishness and arrogance only intensify their despicable nature, making them equally deserving of their fate.
Natasha Henstridge takes on the role of the Fairy Godmother, an interesting casting choice that plays against the usual image we have of this character. Henstridge brings a fun energy to the film, giving her performance a quirky edge that stands out. While she adds some much-needed life to the film, her limited screen time is a missed opportunity. Whenever Henstridge is on screen, the film gains momentum, and it’s a shame we don’t see more of her.
Uneven Tone and Missed Opportunities
The film’s biggest issue lies in its inconsistent tone. At times, Cinderella’s Revenge doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be. There are moments where it feels like a standard Cinderella adaptation, followed by sudden shifts into horror that don’t quite fit with the earlier parts of the movie. This disjointed pacing makes it hard for viewers to stay fully engaged.
One baffling inclusion is a montage featuring a celebrity designer character. While this scene seems intended as a parody of the TV movie versions of Cinderella, it feels out of place and disrupts the film’s flow. The filmmakers seem to be aiming for satire, but the scene drags on too long and doesn’t contribute much to the plot.
Despite being marketed as a horror film, Cinderella’s Revenge spends a lot of time without any real scares. Even when blood and gore do appear, the poor quality of the special effects prevents the horror from being as effective as it could be. The moments that are meant to shock or disturb tend to fall flat, resulting in more eye rolls than jumps.
Who Is This For?
One of the film’s major struggles is identifying its target audience. For much of its runtime, Cinderella’s Revenge feels like a traditional Cinderella story with only occasional horror elements. Those looking for a pure horror experience may find themselves bored by the long stretches of fairy tale drama. On the other hand, fans of the classic story may be put off by the sudden bursts of gore and violence.
The film tries to combine the two genres, but it doesn’t fully succeed in blending the fairy tale with the horror. While there are a few enjoyable moments that viewers can have fun with, especially in a group setting, the overall experience is underwhelming. The revenge aspect, which should be the film’s highlight, feels underdeveloped, and the lack of impactful scares leaves horror fans wanting more.
