Now Reading
Uglies

Uglies

  • I'D STICK WITH MAZE RUNNER

Netflix’s The Uglies, based on the popular YA novel by Scott Westerfeld, had the potential to be a compelling dystopian story, but it ultimately falls flat in several areas. One of the most jarring aspects is the decision to put a trans character in charge of the “transformations”—the process that turns “ugly” teens into “pretties.” While representation is always welcome, the film doesn’t dive deeply enough into the implications of this choice. Instead, it feels like a surface-level inclusion that lacks any meaningful exploration of gender or identity.

One of the more exciting elements was the hoverboard tekkers. The scenes where Tally and Shay zip around on their boards are well-executed, offering some of the most entertaining sequences in the film. Shay, in particular, shines as a rebellious character who is ready to question the system. Her chemistry with Tally is one of the film’s stronger points, and their dynamic keeps things interesting for a while. Shay’s rebellious nature feels genuine, and she brings much-needed energy to the story. Tally, on the other hand, falls into the typical YA protagonist mold. Her mini-skirt-wearing persona is supposed to symbolize her shift into “prettiness,” but it comes off as a cliché, playing into shallow tropes of femininity. Still, her bond with Shay and their shared resistance to conformity keeps the plot moving, even when the story lags. In terms of themes, the film tackles the pressure of insecurities and the lengths people will go to fit in, but again, it does so in a way that feels underdeveloped. The society’s obsession with beauty is never deeply critiqued; it’s presented more as a backdrop for the action than a focal point for introspection. Whats with the “Village of light-skin bruddas”? In a world so obsessed with beauty, it’s problematic that the “pretties” all look so similar, reinforcing narrow beauty standards.

Ultimately, The Uglies feels like a rehash of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner without offering anything fresh or new to the genre. The final act is particularly weak. Instead of delivering a satisfying conclusion, the film drags on, leaving the door open for a sequel that it doesn’t need. A more concise ending without the unnecessary cliffhanger would have served the story much better. The Uglies had the chance to be a thought-provoking addition to the dystopian genre but ultimately fell short.

Are you here for another sequel? Another book adaptation… yay or nay? Is this the new metric for pretty? Basically plastic? Keep me Uglyyyyyyy

What's Your Reaction?
Adding To My List
0
Loved It
0
Watch Once
0
Not Sure
0
It's Meh
0
Total Trash
0
Leave A Comment (0)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.