Uglies, the new teen sci-fi movie on Netflix, is based on the best-selling 2005 novel by Scott Westerfeld. The film stars Joey King as Tally Youngblood, a 16-year-old girl living in a dystopian future where everyone is required to undergo plastic surgery to become “Pretty.” Directed by McG, the movie also includes Keith Powers, Chase Stokes, Brianne Tju, and Laverne Cox in the cast. Fans of the book series will be excited to see the storyline brought to life on screen.
The Uglies plot summary follows Tally Youngblood as she eagerly awaits her 16th birthday when she can finally get the surgery to become Pretty. However, when her best friend Peris undergoes the surgery before her and changes, Tally is left feeling abandoned. She meets another Ugly, Shay, who opens her eyes to a different way of living outside of the expectations set by society. Tally learns about the Smoke, a place where Uglies can live freely without undergoing the surgery.
As the story unfolds, Tally is tasked by Dr. Cable to infiltrate the Smoke and gather information about a supposed weapon being created by the residents there. However, as Tally gets to know the people at the Smoke, she discovers the truth about the surgeries and the control placed on the population. She decides to stand up against the authorities and fight for the freedom of the Uglies. This leads to a climactic showdown between Tally, the Smoke residents, and the Specials sent by Dr. Cable to destroy them.
The Uglies ending sees Tally making a difficult choice to undergo the Pretty surgery as a test subject for the cure that Maddy and Az have developed. Despite the risks, Tally volunteers to be the first to try the cure, showing her commitment to the cause and her desire to right the wrongs done by the authorities. The movie ends with a cliffhanger, leaving viewers eager to know what happens next in the series.
As author Scott Westerfeld has expressed interest in creating a sequel movie based on the second book in the Uglies series, titled Pretties, the decision ultimately rests on the viewership numbers of the first movie. Fans and newcomers alike will have to wait and see if there will be an Uglies Part 2 to continue the story of Tally and her fight against the system. The success of the first movie on Netflix will determine the fate of any potential sequels, so be sure to watch and support the film if you want more Uglies content in the future.
