The golden age of Young Adult (YA) film adaptations may feel like a distant memory, with franchises like The Hunger Games and Divergent having once dominated the box office. These adaptations transformed beloved novels into cultural phenomena, captivating millions with their blend of dystopian tension and coming-of-age storytelling. So, when Netflix announced its adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s 2005 novel Uglies, fans were intrigued by the possibility of a YA resurgence. However, Netflix’s Uglies falls far short of expectations, failing to recapture the magic that once defined the genre. With dated themes, weak character development, and an over-reliance on CGI, Uglies is a stark reminder that some stories are best left in the past.
Uglies: A Dystopian Premise That Never Lives Up to Its Potential
Set in a future where all 16-year-olds undergo mandatory cosmetic surgery to transform from “Ugly” to “Pretty,” Uglies offers a premise brimming with potential to comment on society’s obsession with beauty standards. The protagonist, Tally Youngblood (played by Joey King), eagerly awaits her transformation, believing that it will lead to a better life. However, as she navigates her world, she encounters rebellious characters like Shay (Brianne Tju), who challenge the idea that physical beauty is the path to happiness.
Tally is soon caught between two worlds: the superficial society that places value on appearance and the underground movement in the Smoke, where people reject the city’s rules. Tasked with infiltrating this renegade group by the manipulative Dr. Cable (Laverne Cox), Tally must make a choice—will she conform or fight for individuality?
Unfortunately, what begins as a promising exploration of beauty and conformity unravels into a hollow dystopian adventure. The film’s lack of depth makes it difficult to invest in the characters or the stakes of the narrative. Instead of tackling the core issues of beauty standards with nuance, Uglies feels more like a hastily thrown-together project with little regard for the thematic complexity its source material once promised.
Visually Uninspired: Overreliance on CGI Leaves the World of Uglies Flat
One of the most glaring flaws in Uglies is its uninspired and over-CGI’d aesthetic. The futuristic city where Tally lives is intended to feel awe-inspiring, with advanced technology like hoverboards and holograms showcasing humanity’s reliance on appearances and materialism. However, the film’s heavy use of computer-generated imagery undermines its ambition, creating a world that feels artificial and distant.
Director McG, known for his vibrant and energetic work on the Charlie’s Angels films, struggles to inject any life into the digital landscape of Uglies. The futuristic cityscapes lack the realism necessary to ground the film in a believable dystopia, and as a result, the world feels more like a video game environment than a cinematic setting. In comparison to the visually dynamic world-building of The Hunger Games or the gritty realism of Divergent, Uglies simply doesn’t hold up.
While the film attempts to wow viewers with futuristic gadgets and elaborate cityscapes, it’s difficult to engage with a world that feels so disconnected from reality. The visually flat and lifeless execution prevents audiences from fully immersing themselves in the dystopian nightmare that Uglies should have been.
Lackluster Social Commentary on Beauty Standards
Given the premise of Uglies, one would expect the film to make a meaningful statement about society’s obsession with beauty. However, the social commentary in the film falls short of delivering any substantial critique. While the idea of enforced beauty standards as a form of control could have led to rich and thought-provoking conversations, Uglies glosses over these opportunities in favor of a bland dystopian narrative.
One of the biggest missteps in the film is casting conventionally attractive actors to play “Uglies.” Joey King, Chase Stokes, and the rest of the cast hardly resemble the characters described in the novel, making it difficult to buy into their struggles with self-image. It’s a tough sell when characters deemed “Ugly” in this universe still look camera-ready by Hollywood standards. The film’s superficial approach to the theme undercuts any potential for meaningful reflection on beauty standards in the modern world.
In contrast to recent films like Barbie (2023), which provided a nuanced exploration of beauty and identity, Uglies feels simplistic and shallow. The film misses the chance to engage with the ongoing cultural conversation about body positivity, self-acceptance, and societal pressures, ultimately leaving viewers with little to reflect on.
Characters That Fail to Shine
The characters in Uglies are as lifeless as the film’s world-building. Joey King, known for her roles in The Kissing Booth series, struggles to bring any emotional depth to Tally Youngblood, the film’s supposed heroine. Tally’s journey from eager conformist to rebel feels flat, and King’s performance lacks the complexity needed to make her character compelling. Without a strong lead to carry the narrative, the film flounders.
Laverne Cox’s portrayal of Dr. Cable, the manipulative antagonist, offers a brief glimmer of potential, but the script gives her little to work with. Cox’s performance hints at a more dynamic and entertaining villain, but the film’s refusal to lean into its campier elements leaves her character feeling underdeveloped.
Brianne Tju’s portrayal of Shay provides some much-needed energy to the film, injecting a sense of rebellion and vulnerability that stands out among the otherwise one-dimensional characters. Unfortunately, her chemistry with King is limited, and the film’s attempt to introduce a love triangle with Keith Powers’ character, David, feels forced and underwhelming.
A Missed Opportunity for Netflix
In an era when viewers are looking for fresh takes on familiar genres, Uglies could have been a timely revival of the YA dystopian landscape. But instead, it feels like a decade-old relic of a genre that has moved on. The film’s reliance on outdated tropes, lack of meaningful social commentary, and uninspired visual effects make Uglies a deeply disappointing adaptation.
For those hoping to relive the glory days of YA adaptations, Uglies will leave you yearning for the depth and excitement of The Hunger Games or the emotional stakes of The Fault in Our Stars. Unfortunately, Netflix’s Uglies brings nothing new to the table and fails to capture the essence of Scott Westerfeld’s original novel.
As the YA genre continues to evolve, Uglies stands as a reminder that not every story is fit for adaptation—especially when the execution falls so far short of its potential. Instead of revitalizing the genre, Uglies serves as a missed opportunity in Netflix’s catalog of original films, leaving viewers to wonder what could have been.