Netflix's new dystopian sci-fi movie is finally out – and 'Ugly' lives up to its name
Netflix has been busy producing several new movies this year, including the recent hit “Rebel Ridge,” an incredibly effective action-thriller. One of the most recent to land on 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 generated quite a bit of buzz leading up to release.
Joey King takes center stage in this futuristic dystopian movie, where enforced beauty standards shape society. I watched “Uglies” now that it's available on Netflix, and while the movie had some interesting elements, it couldn't stand out from the pack of other YA adaptations. That goes without saying terrible.
So, is it still worth watching? Here's everything to know about “Uglies” and what critics are currently saying about it.
What about 'Uglies'?
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The movie “Uglies” on Netflix 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 “beautiful”. The method is meant to erase physical imperfections and ensure that everyone fits a narrow definition of beauty, but it also comes with hidden consequences, such as controlling a person's thoughts and behavior.
The protagonist, Tally Youngblood (Joey King), is on the verge of her transformation but begins to question the system when her friend Shaw (Brian Tzu) decides to run away and avoid being “pretty.” Tally is caught between loyalty to her friend and pressure from the authorities, who threaten her with deportation unless she helps track down Shay.
I just couldn't take 'Uglies' seriously – and critics seem to agree
“Uglys” brings a futuristic dystopian world to Netflix, but despite its promising setup, the movie struggles to carve out its own space and lets a lot of its potential go unrealized. The movie centers around enforced beauty standards and social conformity, yet its treatment of these themes often feels too light for the gravitas they support.
Most of the inconsistencies come down to acting. While sincere, it doesn't quite manage to bring depth to the characters. She has her shining moments as King Tally, especially when she's ambivalent about whether to become “pretty” or accept that these values are toxic. However, most of the time I can imagine her character Ellie from “The Kissing Booth” (which isn't great considering is not a romantic comedy). So to be honest, I didn't care for any particular character, making this movie hard to take seriously.
That being said, I neither love it nor hate it. “Uglies” still provides a decent level of entertainment and remains somewhat watchable. It holds particular appeal for young YA fans with important messages about beauty and self-worth. However, if you're looking for a more immersive and impactful experience, I'd recommend diving into the book instead.
“Uglies” currently has a very low Rotten Tomatoes score of 25% (as of September 13), and online reviews already seem to agree with my take. From William Bibiani TheWrap Said: “Something to fill a quota, something that can't be thought about or enjoyed, so that Netflix can technically tell their customers that they have a new exclusive movie this week, quality be damned. And in this case quality really was damned.”
Meanwhile, of the Daily Beast Nick Shager agrees that it feels like every other YA adaptation: “That it's a fourth-generation knock-off of countless similar YA sagas that have come before it would be an understatement.”
Again, I don't love or Hate it, so takes something positive I can get on board with. From Brian Orndorf Blu-ray Instead commented on the action: “It's not a rough sit-down, director McGee keeps the action coming and the exposition tasty as he aims to start something big with the source material.” This is an opinion I also share as the movie has enough excitement 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 distinguish itself from similar movies like “The Maze Runner” or “Divergent.” Its treatment of serious themes feels a bit thin, and the overall impact isn't as strong as I'd hoped.
However, it still offers a measure of entertainment, especially for younger YA fans or those looking to lighten up on familiar themes. If you're in the mood for a movie that combines the typical dystopian tropes of this popular franchise into a more accessible format, “Uglies” might be worth a look.
Can't feel it? Read our take The new gripping psychological thriller “Speak No Evil.” We have a guide Three of the best movies to watch on Netflix's top 10.
Turn on “Uglies”. Netflix now
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