Horror Movie Review: Cinderella’s Curse (2024)

Directed by Louisa Warren, and written by Harry Boxley and Charles Perrault, Cinderella’s Curse stars Kelly Rian Sanson, Chrissie Wunna, Lauren Budd, Natasha Tosini, Danielle Scott, and Sam Barrett.

Having recently entered the public domain; Cinderella is the latest fairytale figure to be given the horror treatment in an attempt to try and replicate the success of Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey. A failed attempt in the end, but not one without merit as I must admit to being entertained by what Cinderella’s Curse had to offer. It’s a dark, twisted, and very bloody film, albeit one that borrows as much from Carrie as it does the fairy tale.

Kelly Rian Sanson plays the titular character (she is great), treated with contempt by her two stepsisters, Ingrid (Lauren Budd) and Hannah (Natasha Tosini), while her stepmother (Danielle Scott) watches over her with hate and disgust. They torture her, but in a more psychological way, and least to begin with. Which I think helps the viewer connect to Cinderella’s plight, while also experiencing the wickedness of those around her as it builds and builds.

Then, one day a Prince comes a-knocking. Prince Levin (Sam Barrett) is to wed, and Cinderella’s sisters are prospective partners, except he is not interested in them. He has eyes for Cinderella and insists that she attend a lavish ball he is throwing, much to the chagrin of her stepmother.

Cinderella is in love from the moment she meets the prince, so when she is humiliated and forced to stay at home by her stepsisters and stepmother, she reaches out to her fairy Godmother (Chrissie Wunna) for help. Help that comes with a price and help that results in some seriously bloody action.

The first half of the film is all about characters and building the experience that forces Cinderella to snap, whereas the second half is brutally violent and gory. It’s very entertaining, even if it does begin to drag a bit near the end. Thankfully, it’s not a film that overstays its welcome and it is hard to not root for Cinderella as she takes her revenge on all those who have wronged her.

There’s one hell of a body count here.

I really liked this film, especially as the first half is so strong. I really enjoyed the psychological torture of Cinderella and how manipulative her sisters are. It’s strong character stuff delivered by really good actors, and I found myself sitting up straight and paying full attention as things got more and more horrific. When the blood does start to flow, it’s intense, and while I do accept that so much of it results in a lack of potency, I thoroughly enjoyed the violence, especially as the effects are great.

A lot of effort has gone into making this more than just a lacklustre spin on the Cinderella story and that effort deserves to be recognised. Give it a watch, you might find you like it to.