Upcoming Netflix film Uglies – starring Joey King – is set to shine a light on the ways that beauty standards can impact, and warp, society.
Based on the 2005 novel written by Scott Westerfield, it will explore a dystopian society that enforces mandatory cosmetic surgery for all people at the age of sixteen to make them “beautiful”.
We're obsessed with this story already. Here's what we know so far about Uglies.
Uglies plot
“In a futuristic dystopia with enforced beauty standards, a teen awaiting mandatory cosmetic surgery embarks on a journey to find her missing friend,” the Uglies plot synopsis reads.
“Basically what happens is, you’re afforded a surgery when you turn 16 years old so you can look any way you want to look,” Uglies director McG (who also executive produced Noughties teen drama The OC) told Netflix's TUDUM. “It’s the belief of the society that if we all look the way we want, you can eradicate conflict.”
While the Uglies book was released in 2005, Joey has spoken out on its huge, increased relevance over the years. “I think it is super relevant that we’re making this now," she told TUDUM. McG added that the ways in which social media have warped beauty standards influenced the making of the film.
“The film’s really about beauty as interior,” he said. “It’s a commentary on what we’re experiencing today, where so many people can’t just take a photograph and post it on social media. You’ve got to put it through the filter, you’ve got to edit it, you’ve got to do the thing to present this idealised version of beauty. And this is a moment to say, ‘Take a deep breath, work on your inner game, love people for who they are, and accept yourself for who you are,’ and strangely, it’s a much more fruitful way to live.”
Uglies cast
Joining Joey King will be Orange Is The New Black star Laverne Cox, Stranger Things' Chase Stokes, Keith Powers, Brianne Tju, Jan Luis Castellanos and Charmin Lee.
Uglies release date
It will drop on Netflix globally on 13 September.
Uglies trailer
The trailer opens with a rather memorable line from Joey's character Tally, who is reflecting on having the surgery that has become normalised at 16 years old for every person to become “beautiful”.
“All my life I wanted to be pretty – I thought it would change everything. I hope that's still true,” she says.
But it seems as if the closer she gets to the surgery, doubts about what “beauty” alone can achieve start to rise. “No matter how pretty they make you just don't let them erase you,” she says to a friend.
We can't wait to see Uglies.
