Uglies brings the young adult novel to life while delivering important messages about finding your confindence and believing in yourself.
Set in a futuristic dystopian world, Uglies follows Tally (Joey King) as she nears her sixteenth birthday. In an effort to stop war and discrimination, residents are forced to undergo mandatory cosmetic surgery to correct all of their “flaws” when they turn sixteen. Tally has been looking forward to this day for as long as she can remember. However, when her friend Shay (Brianne Tju) runs away, Tally goes on an incredible journey that causes her to rethink everything she thinks she knows.
This movie is very clearly made for a younger audience who is still trying to find themselves. Life is hard. We all know that. It is perfectly normal to feel as if you are less than and to strive to be something more – however, surgery is only going to change the you on the outside, not the inside.
If Uglies teaches tweens and teens that it is important to be yourselves, even if you do not know who that is yet, then it has done its job. The messages layered throughout are going to resinate with a lot of people watching because they are relatable.
One of the most memorable things about Netflix’s Uglies is the chemistry between this young cast. Joey King leads, and does a phenomenal job doing so. She has proven time and time again that she has some serious acting chops, and her performance in Uglies is no different.
There are down to Earth, intimate moments in this film that will have viewers on the edge of tears, while the action will have them on the edge of their seats. The CGI oftens leaves something to be desired, but you have to remember this is not a big budget theatrical release, it is a straight to streaming movie.
Laverne Cox plays Dr. Cable in Uglies, who is the villain for lack of a better word. Her mind is in the right place, but her methods are a bit morally compromised. She absolutely crushes this role.
A good villain needs to think that they are the hero of their own story. They need to operate in a grey area that welcomes thought and has viewers wondering which road they would take should they be in their shoes – and that is exactly what Laverne brings to the role. She even makes Dr. Cable likable at times.
Tally’s relationship with Shay (Brianne Tju) is relatable for viewers of this age as well. We all have (or had) that friend that we instantly click with. That we can sit in a room with and just laugh about nothing. Someone that roots for you to be your best you and sees the things within you that you cannot see youself. Joey King and Brianne Tju do a wonderful job bringing that beautiful friendship to the screen.
Chase Stokes, who plays Tally’s friend Peris, and Keith Powers, who plays David, feel like two opposite sides of a coin. While it is easy to love Peris at first, he goes through some changes after his surgery that cause him to go down a path viewers will not be able to believe Tally doesn’t see as wrong. She is blinded by the friendship she once had with him – and it is devastating to watch.
David, on the other hand, is happy as himself and does not want to change. He is inspiring, not only to Tally, but to those watching the movie as well.
While the ending is satisfying enough, it is very obvious that there is more to the story. This is a bit frustrating for viewers as it seems like things can not just end there – we need more. Should the do well enough for Netflix, this could easily become a franchise considering there are currently four books in the series. So get to streaming. Please.
Uglies comes to Netflix on September 13th.
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About Uglies
In a futuristic world that imposes a cosmetic surgery at 16, Tally is eager for her turn to join the rest of society. But when a friend runs away, Tally embarks on a journey to save her that upends everything she thought she wanted.