Key Highlights:
- Netflix’s animated film Steps delivers a family-friendly reimagining of the Cinderella legend from the perspective of Lilith, the so-called “Evil Stepsister” voiced by Ali Wong.
- Featuring an all-star voice cast including Amanda Seyfried, Daniel Radcliffe, Bette Midler, and Stephanie Hsu, the movie deconstructs traditional fairy-tale dynamics through themes of privilege, teenage angst, and assimilation.
- The feature, penned by a creative writing team including Ava Tramer, James Madejski, Jen Chuck, Dana Schwartz, Felicia Ho, Riki Lindhome, and Kate Micucci, debuts on Netflix on Nov. 20.
A Subversive Twist on the Cinderella Fairy Tale
Following darker revisions such as 2025’s body-horror feature The Ugly Stepsister, Netflix is bringing a significantly more charming and family-oriented spin to the classic lore with Steps. The animated project reimagines the fairy tale’s traditional dynamic by turning the spotlight onto Cinderella’s maligned stepsisters. Drawing inspiration from classic Disney tropes and the irreverent subversion popularized by DreamWorks’ Shrek, the film opens on familiar storybook aesthetics before introducing Lilith (voiced by Ali Wong), an outcast protagonist determined to clear her name of the unfair “Evil Stepsister” moniker.
While the traditional story frames Lilith’s infamous actions—ordering Cinderella to clean fireplaces, scorning forest animals, and tearing up a ball gown—as unprovoked wickedness, Steps reframes them through the lens of misunderstood teen angst, sisterhood, and cultural friction. Alongside her younger sister Margot (voiced by Stephanie Hsu) and their seamstress mother, Lilith moves to a predominantly white kingdom after her mother remarries Cinderella’s father. Faced with xenophobic judgment over their Eastern-style clothing and folklore, Lilith finds herself shunned by local mean girl Priscilla (voiced by Nikki Glaser) while the agreeable Cinderella (voiced by Amanda Seyfried) stands idly by.
Alt-Fashion, Privilege, and Broken Spells
Rather than conform to the kingdom’s sea of puffy pink gowns and identical bouffant hairstyles, Lilith embraces an alternative aesthetic characterized by DIY asymmetrical haircuts, skull-embroidered skirts, and chunky combat boots. However, her rebellious self-expression is complicated by lingering jealousy toward Cinderella, sparking an escalating series of mishaps that puts Cinderella’s anticipated happy ending with the prince (voiced by Daniel Radcliffe) and the lives of both step-families in jeopardy.
The narrative takes a bolder thematic turn upon the arrival of the fairy godmother (voiced by Bette Midler). Lilith realizes that Cinderella’s effortlessly flawless life was sustained by supernatural assistance, introducing a sharp parable about unearned privilege. Once that protective magic is disrupted, the sheltered Cinderella is abruptly forced to navigate the reality of everyday flaws like perspiration and body odor, while repeatedly blundering into danger. To save their family and halt Priscilla’s destructive rampage, Lilith and Cinderella must abandon their rivalry and team up to take control of their shared story.
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Humor, Heart, and Subversive World-Building
Credited to screenwriters and story contributors Ava Tramer, James Madejski, Jen Chuck, Dana Schwartz, Felicia Ho, Riki Lindhome, and Kate Micucci, Steps wraps complex themes into accessible humor. The script unpacks the subtle pressures placed on marginalized individuals to assimilate or face ostracization, balancing its moral center with eccentric fantasy elements. Among the movie’s lively detours are a maniacal manservant voiced by Peter Dinklage, a gang of goat-riding biker trolls, and an endearing troll voiced by Young Mazino.
Why This Matters
Fairy-tale revisions have remained a Hollywood staple for decades, but modern streaming platforms are increasingly pushing beyond simple good-versus-evil dualities. By blending accessible Disney-style animation with contemporary issues surrounding systemic privilege, peer conformity, and cultural alienation, Steps illustrates how legacy folklore can be reinvented for younger audiences without relying purely on dark or adult-oriented satire. It positions empathy and mutual accountability above conventional happily-ever-afters, reinforcing Netflix’s expanding roster of inventive, family-friendly animation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Steps release on Netflix?
Steps premieres globally on Netflix on Nov. 20.
Who stars in the voice cast of Steps?
The animated feature boasts a star-studded voice cast led by Ali Wong as Lilith, Amanda Seyfried as Cinderella, Stephanie Hsu as Margot, Daniel Radcliffe as the prince, Bette Midler as the fairy godmother, Nikki Glaser as Priscilla, Peter Dinklage as the manservant, and Young Mazino as a standout troll.
Who wrote the screenplay for Steps?
The film’s screenplay and story credits are held by Ava Tramer, James Madejski, Jen Chuck, Dana Schwartz, Felicia Ho, Riki Lindhome, and Kate Micucci.
