The new Netflix movie “Uglies,” featuring Joey King, delves into the complexities surrounding beauty standards and societal expectations, bringing a unique twist to the genre of dystopian narratives. It is adapted from Scott Westerfeld’s 2005 novel of the same name.
Set in a future where individuals must undergo surgery on their 16th birthday to conform to ideals of beauty, the story revolves around the protagonist, Tally, who is just two months away from her own transformation. Her best friend, Peris, is set to undergo the procedure first, and the two make a pact to remain true to themselves despite the changes that come with becoming “Pretty.” Until they achieve this status, they are branded as “Uglies,” relegating them to a lower social class.
After Peris departs for the surgery, Tally befriends Shay, who is also facing the impending procedure. Unlike Tally, Shay is conflicted about undergoing the surgery and dreams of living freely in a place called the Smoke, which Tally had previously dismissed as a myth. Shay introduces Tally to the reality of the Smoke, sparking a longing for freedom from societal constraints.
As Tally prepares for her surgery, she is unexpectedly summoned by Dr. Cable, the head of Special Circumstances, who gives her an ultimatum: either expose Shay’s whereabouts or forfeit her transformation. Dr. Cable reveals that the Smoke is allegedly developing a weapon to overthrow the current civilization, placing Tally in a precarious position where she must choose between loyalty to her friend and compliance with the government.
When Tally eventually reaches the Smoke, she is met with resistance but remains determined. Over time, immersed in this new environment, Tally begins to embrace self-acceptance rather than conforming to society’s beauty standards. Her journey leads her to meet David and his parents, former surgeons who reveal that the surgery is designed to create brain lesions that suppress independent thinking, thus ensuring governmental control over the citizens.
Tension escalates when city officials close in on the Smoke, resulting in a tragic confrontation where Peris, now transformed into a special kind of Pretty, is compelled to kill Tally’s allies. During a climactic struggle with Tally, Peris indicates a flicker of his former self before his fall, suggesting hope for redemption.
As calamity strikes, Tally is forced into the surgery. However, a rebellion ensues as members of the Smoke attempt to destroy the procedure chambers, allowing Maddy, David’s mother, to procure the missing component needed to create a cure for the brain lesions.
In a poignant moment, Tally is willing to be a test subject for the cure to help Shay reclaim her true identity. Despite concerns for her safety, Tally is resolute in her decision to prove her strength and reclaim her sense of self. She ultimately undergoes the procedure and awakens as a Pretty, but a scar on her hand signifies her enduring connection to her past self.
The film leaves room for a sequel, being the first installment of a trilogy. In the following book “Pretties,” Tally struggles with her altered memories and embarks on a quest to rediscover her identity with the aid of a letter from her past self. The finale of the series promises to explore Tally’s evolution as she navigates the challenges of becoming a genetically enhanced Special.