Uglies Review – What is Uglies about?
Uglies is a 2024 American science fiction drama directed by McG, with a screenplay by Jacob Forman, Vanessa Taylor, and Whit Anderson. It’s based on the popular novel Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. The movie takes place in a future dystopian society and stars Joey King, Keith Powers, Brianne Tju, Chase Stokes, and Laverne Cox. The film was released on Netflix on September 13, 2024.
Who is in the cast of Uglies?
- Joey King as Tally Youngblood
- Sarah Vattano as young Tally
- Brianne Tju as Shay
- Keith Powers as David
- Chase Stokes as Peris
- Ashton Essex Bright as young Peris
- Laverne Cox as Dr. Cable
- Charmie Lee as Maddy
- Jay DeVon Johnson as Az
- Jan Luis Castellanos as Croy
What is the plot of Uglies?
In a future where the world has exhausted its natural resources, scientists devise two solutions: genetically engineered orchids that produce energy and a mandatory surgery that transforms people into “Pretties” when they turn 16. The idea is that universal physical perfection will prevent chaos.
Tally and her best friend Peris are both “Uglies.” Peris, who is three months older than Tally, undergoes the surgery first, promising Tally that he won’t change. However, when Tally sneaks into the city to see him, she is shocked by both his new appearance and his altered personality. After narrowly escaping capture by city Wardens, Tally returns to her dormitory, where she befriends Shay, a rebellious Ugly who believes in “The Smoke”—a place of freedom and nature beyond the city.
Shay tells Tally about The Smoke and its leader, David. She invites Tally to run away with her to avoid the surgery, but Tally refuses out of fear. On Tally’s 16th birthday, she is told that she won’t be allowed to undergo the procedure unless she reveals Shay’s whereabouts. Dr. Cable, the head of the operation, convinces Tally that David is dangerous and must be stopped.
Tally reluctantly agrees to go to The Smoke as a spy, where she reunites with Shay and meets David. As Tally grows closer to David, she learns a disturbing truth: the surgery to become Pretty also limits brain capacity, making people easier to control. David’s parents were part of the team of scientists that developed the surgery but later fled after discovering its true purpose. Now they, along with other rebels, are working to create a cure.
Tally also discovers that the orchid energy source is toxic to the environment, which is why the rebels burn the orchids to stop their spread. After growing closer to David, Tally throws her tracking device into a fire, renouncing the system. But her tracker still alerts Dr. Cable, who sends troops to capture the rebels.
Peris, now transformed into a near-invincible soldier, kills David’s father, and Tally is exposed as a traitor. She and David manage to escape, and Tally convinces David to let her help free the captured rebels.
What happens during the climax of the film?
Tally and David return to the city and manage to free the imprisoned rebels, except for Shay, who has already undergone the surgery and is now a Pretty. Shay no longer remembers her old beliefs or friends. David’s mother has the final piece of the cure but is reluctant to administer it to Shay because she doesn’t want to force it on someone who doesn’t consent.
Tally volunteers to undergo the surgery herself and test the cure, assuring everyone that she will not lose her sense of justice, even as a Pretty. She says goodbye to David and her friends, determined to prove that her true self will survive the transformation.
How does Uglies end?
The film concludes with a Pretty Tally living in the city. Despite undergoing the surgery, Tally remains true to her beliefs. A subtle but significant detail confirms this: the scar she got as a child remains untouched, symbolizing that she has not been fully brainwashed by the system.
Uglies Review
The story of Uglies is incredibly catchy as it gives an intriguing vision of Earth’s future. The movie opens by showing how the depletion of natural resources leads to war, and how, with the help of science, a new world is built. The plot and visuals keep you engaged, sparking curiosity at every turn. If you’re a fan of sci-fi films, this one is a must-watch!
However, the concept of Uglies—where 16-year-olds undergo a scientific procedure to become beautiful but lose their ability to think critically. The villain, Dr. Cable, controls them, while a few rebels choose to live a simple, natural life. Though familiar, the concept is still worth exploring in this unique dystopian setting.
Here you can watch this film – Netflix
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