Description
“Uglies” is a 2024 science fiction action film adapted from the bestselling young adult novel by Scott Westerfeld. The feature, directed by McG and produced by Netflix, was set in a future dystopian universe where universal beauty is enforced so stringently, even surgery is made compulsive for all its citizens at the age of 16 to conform with the set criteria. Starring Joey King as the protagonist Tally Youngblood, who is dying to get remade, changes her mind when her best friend Shay, played by Brianne Tju, goes against the societal expectation and runs away to a colony of “Uglies” who don’t get surgery. As Tally embarks on an adventure to bring Shay back, she opens her eyes and begins to question everything she has ever been taught about beauty, identity, and conformity. Some complex themes which were represented in the film are individuality, freedom, and the ethical consequences pertaining to a society concerned with appearances.
The movie casts Keith Power as David, the protagonists holding a lead role among the rebels, while Chase Stokes acts the character of Peris, who happens to be an old childhood friend of Tally. And, along with Laverne Cox playing the role of the enforcer Dr. Cable, who is a strong believer within the system responsible for transformation. Scripted by Jacob Forman, Vanessa Taylor, and Whit Anderson, “Uglies” is a unique combination of adventure, drama, and crucial social commentaries amidst the dangers of a superficial society obsessed with perfection.
Review
“Uglies” is an onscreen adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s thought-provoking novel into a visually striking and narratively hooking movie. McG, known for his dynamic directing in films such as Charlie’s Angels and The Babysitter, develops an intriguingly real vision of a dystopian world. While vibrant cinematography blended with an Edward Shearmur pulsating score did much to establish a future society where the standard of beauty dictates one’s social status, freedom, and value.
Joey King is brilliant as Tally Youngblood, who catches her inner turmoil as she gradually realizes that not everything that glitters is gold in this so-called utopia. King balances with perfect pitch the initial enthusiasm of Tally to become “pretty” and the growing doubt and moral qualms-a balance indicative of a character arc so subtle that it will strike a chord in viewers. Laverne Cox, in her element as the intimidating Dr. Cable, brings an intensity to her character, standing representative for the system’s rigid and authoritarian view on beauty and compliance.
The rest of the cast-which includes Keith Powers as David and Brianne Tju as Shay-all provide really strong performances for such additions to the narrative. In fact, the chemistry that exists between characters raises the stakes in the story to even higher levels of emotion, particularly when Tally finds herself caught between her loyalty to her friends and her urge to fit into what society has determined.
The script is, for the most part, faithful to Westerfeld’s original narrative, but it also introduces new elements and perspectives that help flesh out the thematic exploration of identity and freedom in the film. However, the pacing is somewhat uneven, particularly during the middle acts, as the film often bounces between action-driven sequences and more meditative, slow-burning moments. While such shifts in tone do detract somewhat from the overall momentum of the film, they are important in underlining the protagonist’s internal and external conflicts.
Visually, “Uglies” is strikingly rich in world-building. The marked juxtaposition of the stark, clinical aesthetic of the “Pretty” world with the rugged, natural backgrounds of the rebel hideaways helps underscore the central theme of this film: that which has been instilled about the artificiality of enforced beauty against the authenticity of embracing one’s natural self. Special effects are of immense importance to distinguish between these two worlds, extending to costume design and makeup as well, to develop such a high degree of societal control over the appearances of individuals.
“Uglies” proves to be a timely reflection of some contemporary issues relative to body image, pressures toward unattainable standards of beauty, and social media. While the plot may not offer anything particularly new for fans of the dystopian genre, it does capture the spirit of the Westerfeld novel and raises some important questions with regard to individuality and freedom in an appearance-driven society.
Conclusion: Most of all, “Uglies” in 2024 will be an energetic and intellectually provocative adaptation for the readers of the book. It neatly combines action and drama with social comments, offering a fresh angle on what the meaning of self-acceptance is in a superficially perfect world.
Rating
The film has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) due to “some violence and action, and brief strong language.” This rating suggests the film contains content that may not be suitable for children under 13, such as intense sequences, themes of rebellion, and mild language
