The Beauty is Ryan Murphy at his absolute best: unfiltered, provocative, and beautifully monstrous. On top of that, the entire cast delivers incredible performances.
For fans of Ryan Murphy, the experience of watching his work can often feel like a roller coaster – thrilling at the peak, but occasionally prone to coming off the rails. However, with the first season of The Beauty, he hasn’t just stayed on the tracks; he’s built a high-speed engine of body horror and social commentary that feels like a spiritual successor to the Golden Age of American Horror Story.
Right from the opening frame, The Beauty grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go, spiraling into a narrative that is just as grotesque as it is glamorous. And I was loving every moment that I was hanging on for dear life.
A Cast That Knows Exactly What Kind Of Series They Are In… And Delivers Career-Best Performances
While Ryan Murphy is known for using the same actors over and over, The Beauty Season 1 features some of the most inspired casting choices in years – even if some of them are a bit familiar. Evan Peters is, as always, incredible. He brings a grounded, haunting intensity to the screen that anchors the more twisted elements of the plot. His time on American Horror Story has taught him how to make this genre work. And boy does he.
That said, Ashton Kutcher completely steals the show, shedding his boy-next-door persona for something far more complex, layered, and arguably sinister – especially as we near the final episodes. His performance is one for the record books. He absolutely blew me away in this series, and I found myself eagerly looking forward to the next time we saw his character, Byron Forst, on screen.
Not far behind are Jeremy Pope and Anthony Ramos. Their on-screen chemistry is nothing short of electric; they provide the emotional pulse of the series, making the stakes feel personal amidst the surrounding chaos. Whether they are sharing a quiet moment or caught in the middle of a bloody set-piece, you cannot take your eyes off them. I wish I could tell you more, but instead, you will just have to trust me.
The Price of Perfection: Would You Risk It All For Beauty?
The central concept of the series – a simple shot that guarantees physical perfection – is the ultimate decision. We know, as the audience, what the cost could be, but would we still risk it all? It forces viewers to look in the mirror and ask: What would I sacrifice to be beautiful?
The Beauty explores morality not through preachy dialogue, but through the visceral consequences of vanity. The Beauty Shot is presented as a miracle, but as the season progresses, we see the risks involved.
The Big Question: Would you take the shot even knowing the side effects? I have to admit, I think I would. It’s a tempting offer, isn’t it? In a world that prizes aesthetics above all else, the Beauty Shot represents the ultimate shortcut. Talk about a relevant topic. In a world of Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications, we have all considered it. And are lying to ourselves if we say otherwise.
The Beauty is sexy, gory, bloody, and grotesque all at once. It leans heavily into body horror, using practical effects that will make even the most seasoned horror veteran squirm (and love every second of it).
Speaking of, I must mention the sound design team. In a series where skin, bone, and transformation are central themes, the audio is hyper-saturated. Every squelch, crack, and tear is amplified, heightening the jaw-on-the-floor moments. It turns the viewing experience into something truly immersive and, at times, physically uncomfortable. Which is exactly what The Beauty aims to do.
Overall Thoughts On The Beauty
One of the smartest decisions made this season was the fluid episode lengths. Across the 11-episode run, Ryan Murphy and his team allowed the story to dictate the runtime rather than the clock.
The Beauty Season 1 hits the ground running and never looks back. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, a new twist sends the plot in a different direction. It all ends on a massive, agonizing cliffhanger that feels earned rather than cheap. But the wait will be unbearable, and if there isn’t a season two, I am happy to lead the riot.
The Beauty is dark, insanely fun, and wildly unpredictable. It manages to balance the freak show elements of classic Ryan Murphy with a sophisticated look at human desire. With unexpected cameos and storylines that defy logic in the best way possible, it is the kind of prestige horror we’ve been craving.
This is Ryan Murphy at his absolute best: unfiltered, provocative, and beautifully monstrous.
About The Beauty
Partners Drew Foster and Kara Vaughn investigate the Beauty STD causing aesthetic effects but proving lethal; they try to evade corrupt officials and a mercenary targeting them amidst a suspected government conspiracy.
FX’s The Beauty premieres with three episodes on Wednesday, January 21 at 9 p.m. ET on Hulu and 9 p.m. ET/PT on FX, and on Disney+ internationally.
NEXT: The Cast of FX’s The Beauty on Our Global Obsession with Physicality
This is Ryan Murphy at his absolute best: unfiltered, provocative, and beautifully monstrous.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.