Uglies A Dystopian Transformation
Netflix has been busy with a slew of new movies this year, including the recent hit “Rebel Ridge,” an incredibly effective action thriller. One of the latest movies to hit the streaming service is “Uglies,” a dystopian sci-fi film based on a popular young adult novel. With its high-concept premise and a familiar setting in the YA genre, it created quite a stir upon its release.
Joey King takes center stage in this futuristic dystopian film, where enforced beauty standards shape society. I watched “Uglies” now that it’s available on Netflix, and while the film has some interesting elements, it doesn’t quite manage to stand out from the pack of other YA adaptations. That’s not to say it’s terrible.
So, is it still worth watching? Here’s everything to know about “Uglies” and what critics are saying about it.
What is ‘Uglies’ about?
The Netflix movie “Uglies” is based on the young adult book by Scott Westerfeld. It is set in a dystopian future where society forces everyone to undergo extreme cosmetic surgery at the age of 16 in order to be “pretty”. The method aims to erase physical imperfections and ensure that each person meets a narrow definition of beauty, but it also comes with hidden consequences, such as controlling individuals’ thoughts and behavior.
The main character, Tally Young Blood (Joey King), is on the verge of her transformation but begins to question the system when her friend Shay (Brian Tejo) decides to run away and avoid being “pretty.” Tally is torn between loyalty to her friend and pressure from the authorities, who threaten her with deportation unless she helps track Shay down.
I just couldn’t take ‘Uglies’ seriously — and critics seem to agree
Uglies” brings a futuristic dystopian world to Netflix, but despite its promising set-up, the film struggles to find its footing and leaves much of its potential unrealized. The film imposes standards of beauty. and centered around social relevance, yet his treatment of these themes often feels too lighthearted for the gravity they warrant.
Most of the frivolity comes down to the acting. While serious, it doesn’t quite manage to bring depth to the characters. King has her shining moments as Tilly, especially when she’s conflicted about whether to be “pretty” or accept that these standards are toxic.
However, most of the time I could only imagine her character Elle from “The Kissing Booth” (which isn’t great considering it’s not a romantic comedy). So in all honesty, I didn’t care for any particular character, making this movie hard to take seriously.
That being said, I don’t love or hate it. “Uglies” still provides a decent level of entertainment and remains somewhat watchable. It has particular appeal to young YA fans with its important message about beauty and self-respect. However, if you’re looking for a more immersive and impactful experience, I’d highly recommend diving into the book instead.
“Uglies” doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score yet, but online reviews already seem to agree with me. William Bibbiani from TheWrap said: “Something to fill a quota, not to think about or enjoy, so that Netflix can technically tell its subscribers that they have a new exclusive this week.” , quality be damned and in this case quality was compromised.”
Meanwhile, Nick Shager of The Daily Beast agreed that it felt like every other YA adaptation: “To say it’s a fourth-generation knockoff of the myriad similar YA sagas that have come before it is an understatement. It will happen.”
Again, I don’t love or hate it, so there are some positives I can get on board with. Brian Orndorff of Blu-ray instead commented on the action: “It’s not a hard sit, with director McG keeping the action coming and the exposition enjoyable as he aims to do something big with the source material.” This is an opinion I also share as the film has enough tension and stakes to make it entertaining.
Should you stream ‘Uglies’ on Netflix?
“Uglies” may not be the most groundbreaking entry in the dystopian YA genre, and it doesn’t exactly separate itself from films like “The Maze Runner” or “Divergent.” Its treatment of serious themes feels somewhat weak, and the overall effect is not as strong as I was expecting.
However, it still offers a measure of entertainment, especially for younger YA fans or those looking for a lighter take on familiar themes. If you’re in the mood for a movie that combines the common dystopian tropes of these popular franchises in a more accessible format, “Uglies” might be worth a watch.
