Uglies (2024) is a futuristic dystopian science-fiction drama film directed by McG and released on Netflix on September 13, 2024. It’s a live-action adaptation of the first novel in the popular book series by Scott Westerfeld, tackling themes like beauty standards, identity, conformity, and individuality. The movie received largely negative reviews from critics upon release.
Detailed Summary
The World of Uglies — A Future Built on Forced Beauty
Set hundreds of years in the future, society has collapsed and rebuilt itself around an extreme idea: every teenager must undergo a full cosmetic surgery on their 16th birthday to become a “Pretty,” physically perfect and socially accepted. Those who haven’t had the surgery yet are called “Uglies,” living segregated from the prettified world.
Tally Youngblood and the Scarred Promise
Tally Youngblood (Joey King) and her close friend Peris are about to turn sixteen. Both look forward to becoming Pretties, but they make a pact: they’ll keep the scars on their hands as marks of their past selves — a symbolic resistance to losing themselves entirely.
When Peris goes first and becomes Pretty, Tally sneaks into the city to find him — only to realize he’s changed and given up his scar. This shatters Tally’s old expectations and ignites the emotional core of her journey.
The Smoke — Rebels Outside the System
Tally meets Shay, a rebellious Ugly who rejects the idea of conformity. Shay introduces her to The Smoke, a community living “off the grid” and choosing natural aging rather than forced perfection. This group challenges Tally’s worldview and shakes her belief in what she once wanted.
The Mission — A Dangerous Infiltration
Pressured by the authorities — led by the harsh Dr. Cable (Laverne Cox) — Tally is tasked with finding Shay and reporting back. This mission forces her into The Smoke, where she learns about the true cost of the Pretty surgery: it’s not just surface-level beauty — it also brainwashes citizens into obedience.
Betrayal and Consequences
Due to her conflicted loyalties, Tally’s choices lead to devastating outcomes: The Smoke’s rebellion faces collapse, her friend Peris becomes a brainwashed soldier, and the resistance is on the brink of failure. This emotional pressure pushes Tally toward her ultimate decision.
Movie Ending
By the finale, everything Tally ever wanted collapses. The resistance is in ruins, and the fight for freedom seems lost. Yet rather than give up, Tally makes an incredibly bold choice — she decides to become a Pretty voluntarily.
This is not a selfish moment: she does this to help the rebels develop a cure to reverse the brainwashing effect of the operation and to lure Pretty society into exposing the truth. It’s the ultimate sacrifice because she knows that once she’s prettified, she won’t be taken seriously — and yet her decision is strategic.
In the final moments, we see Tally after the surgery, now physically perfect but still carrying the scar on her palm — a reminder that no matter what society dictates, her core identity remains intact. Her last line echoes the book: **”_I’m Tally Youngblood. Make me Pretty.__” — a powerful mix of defiance and vulnerability that sets the stage for future stories.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There are no known post-credits scenes in Uglies (2024). The movie concludes with its final narrative beat, and nothing extra plays during or after the credits roll.
Type of Movie
Uglies is a science-fiction dystopian drama with action and coming-of-age elements. It blends speculative world-building with emotional personal stakes, aiming to explore questions of identity and self-acceptance in an oppressive society.
Cast
- Joey King as Tally Youngblood
- Keith Powers as David
- Chase Stokes as Peris
- Brianne Tju as Shay
- Laverne Cox as Dr. Cable
- Jan Luis Castellanos, Charmin Lee — supporting roles expanding the world’s cast.
Film Music and Composer
The score for Uglies was composed by Edward Shearmur, who has previously worked on notable films blending genre styles. His music underscores the emotional and thematic shifts throughout the narrative.
Filming Locations
Uglies was filmed primarily in the United States, including production in Atlanta, Georgia. These locations stood in for the various environments of the dystopian world — from the heavily controlled city zones to the wild outskirts where The Smoke resides.
Awards and Nominations
As of now, Uglies has not received major awards or nominations. Its critical reception was largely unfavorable, and it hasn’t been featured prominently in major awards circuits.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film took nearly two decades to reach release after the book rights were first acquired in 2006.
- Joey King was not only the lead actor but also an executive producer, having championed the adaptation for years.
- Director McG collaborated closely with Scott Westerfeld, the book’s author, who made a cameo in the film.
- Some action scenes were physically demanding, including sequences shot with actors suspended from cranes for hoverboard effects.
Inspirations and References
Uglies is directly inspired by the 2005 novel by Scott Westerfeld, a foundational work in YA dystopian literature. The world also shares thematic DNA with classic speculative fiction that questions conformity and beauty cults.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No official alternate endings have been publicly released. Given the film’s narrative, any deleted scenes likely focused on character development or world-building rather than changing the core ending.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie adheres to the broad premise of the novel, but shifts several details:
- The portrayal of characters like Special soldiers and the size/behavior of The Smoke differs from the book’s depiction.
- Some thematic elements, like environmental concerns and societal mechanics, are less emphasized in the film than in the original text.
- Visual representation of Pretties and the transformation process is updated to match modern cinematic aesthetics.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The Scar Pact — Tally and Peris vow to keep their scars as identity markers.
- First Encounter with The Smoke — Tally’s worldview starts to shatter.
- The Final Transformation — Tally’s decision to become Pretty with purpose.
Iconic Quotes
- “I’m Tally Youngblood. Make me Pretty.” — A pivotal line that anchors the film’s emotional conclusion.
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The production includes symbolic design elements linking scars and identity to resistance.
- Scott Westerfeld’s cameo appearance is hidden for keen viewers.
- Character nicknames (like Peris’s) have subtle references to the book’s roots.
Trivia
- This adaptation was announced as far back as 2006, making its release nearly 18 years in the making.
- Joey King grew up with the book and saw the Uglies role as a lifelong dream.
- The film clocked about 20 million views in its first three days on Netflix.
Why Watch?
If you’re curious about modern dystopian fiction visualized on screen — especially stories tackling beauty, identity, and societal control — Uglies offers a visually engaging entry point. Despite mixed execution, it may resonate with fans of YA sci-fi and those interested in thought-provoking worldbuilding.
Director’s Other Works (with Years)
- Charlie’s Angels (2000)
- Terminator Salvation (2009)
- This Means War (2012)
- The Babysitter (2017)
