Uglies Review: Netflix's Drab and Dated YA Dystopian Mess is Not Pretty

A Dystopian Nightmare That's More Ugly Than Thrilling

Netflix's latest YA adaptation, Uglies, is a disappointment on all fronts. The film is drab, dated, and fails to capture the essence of the popular book series.

Based on the first book in the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld, the film follows Tally Youngblood (Joey King), a 16-year-old living in a futuristic society where everyone undergoes a mandatory beauty procedure at the age of 16 to become "pretty." Tally is eager to undergo the procedure, but she soon learns that the "pretty" life is not all it's cracked up to be.

The film's biggest flaw is its lack of originality. The dystopian YA genre has been done to death, and Uglies brings nothing new to the table. The story is predictable, the characters are unlikable, and the world-building is shallow.

The film's visuals are also a major letdown. The sets are cheap and uninspired, and the costumes are downright ugly. The film's color palette is drab and muted, which makes the whole thing even more depressing to watch.

The acting is equally bad. Joey King is miscast as Tally, and she fails to bring any charisma or depth to the role. The rest of the cast is equally forgettable.

Overall, Uglies is a major disappointment. The film is drab, dated, and fails to capture the essence of the popular book series. If you're looking for a good YA dystopian film, look elsewhere.