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After almost 20 years of anticipation, Netflix has finally turned Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies into a movie. Released on September 6, 2024, the film is set in a future where everyone gets a cosmetic makeover from “Ugly” to “Pretty” on their 16th birthday to fix societal problems.
Starring Joey King as Tally Youngblood, with Brianne Tju and Keith Powers also in key roles, the movie aims to bring the popular book’s dystopian world to life.
Stream It or Skip It?
Unfortunately, the adaptation of Uglies on Netflix is a disappointing letdown. Despite its intriguing premise, the film fails to deliver on multiple fronts.
The film’s attempt at showcasing futuristic technology falls flat. The CGI-heavy world feels dated and lacks the innovative edge that could have made it visually captivating. What might have been impressive in 2005 now feels recycled and uninspired, overshadowed by more sophisticated modern productions.
Uglies is supposed to critique beauty standards and societal norms, but it misses the mark entirely. The film’s portrayal of the “Pretties” and “Uglies” lacks depth and relevance, making its social commentary appear hollow. The idea of enhancing beauty to fix societal issues seems more absurd than thought-provoking in today’s context.
Joey King’s portrayal of Tally Youngblood falls short, lacking the depth and charisma required for a compelling dystopian heroine. The chemistry between her and her co-stars is minimal, further diminishing the film’s impact. Brianne Tju’s performance as Shay is a rare bright spot, adding some much-needed emotional nuance to the film.
If Uglies had been adapted during the height of YA’s popularity and given a more substantial budget, it might have had a chance. Instead, the film feels like an afterthought, struggling to capture the essence of its source material while failing to offer anything new or engaging.
Brianne Tju stands out as Shay, delivering a performance with genuine emotion and depth that adds some much-needed charm to the film. For fans of the original book, seeing the world of Uglies brought to life on screen might offer a nostalgic thrill, even if the execution doesn’t quite hit the mark.
The film’s attempt to create a futuristic world is ambitious. While the heavy reliance on CGI may not always be successful, it does showcase an effort to visualize the book’s unique setting and concepts.
In short, Uglies has some good points, like Brianne Tju’s strong performance and the fun of seeing the book’s world come to life. However, the movie struggles with outdated special effects and doesn’t offer much new or meaningful. It might be worth a watch for fans of the book, but overall, it doesn’t make a big splash in today’s movie scene.
