Uglies Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Teens in the future get plastic surgery to conform, but one girl has to choose between being hot and hanging out with the nature-loving rebels, and suddenly the world depends on it!

🍿 Uglies: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A World of Uglies

In a future where natural resources are depleted, society has rebuilt itself around a compulsory cosmetic surgery performed at age 16. This surgery transforms ‘Uglies’ into ‘Pretties,’ supposedly creating a harmonious and beautiful world. The Uglies live in dormitories until their 16th birthday, after which they are allowed into the city where celebration occurs.

Tally and Shay’s Rebellion

Tally Youngblood yearns for her transformation, but her friend Shay questions this conformity. Shay tells Tally about a place called ‘The Smoke,’ a hidden community that rejects the surgery. When Shay runs away to find The Smoke, Tally is faced with a difficult choice: follow her friend or embrace the promised beauty of the city.

A Spy’s Journey

Threatened with the loss of her own procedure, Tally is blackmailed by Dr. Cable, the leader of the ‘Pretty’ operations, to find Shay and The Smoke. Equipped with a tracking device, Tally sets out to find her friend, unaware of the dangers and truths that await her.

Discovering the Truth

Tally eventually reaches The Smoke and is reunited with Shay. She also meets David, a leader in The Smoke. Tally learns the surgery is not what it seems. It limits brain capacity, turning people docile, and making them easier to control. The energy source of the cities, genetically modified orchids, are poisoning the planet. Tally renounces the system, but it is too late.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tally Youngblood (Joey King): A teenager initially obsessed with becoming ‘Pretty’ who evolves into a rebel against the dystopian society’s enforced conformity.
• Shay (Brianne Tju): Tally’s rebellious friend who rejects the ‘Pretty’ surgery and seeks freedom in ‘The Smoke’.
• David (Keith Powers): The leader of ‘The Smoke’ and a key figure in the rebellion against the ‘Pretty’ regime.
• Dr. Cable (Laverne Cox): The ruthless leader of the ‘Pretty’ operations, representing the oppressive force of the dystopian society.
• Peris (Chase Stokes): Tally’s childhood friend who undergoes the ‘Pretty’ surgery and becomes a tool of the governing system.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tally: “All my life I wanted to be pretty. I thought it would change everything.” – Tally narrates this line at the beginning of the movie, expressing her initial belief in the importance of physical appearance.
• Tally: “I don’t want to be free, I want to be pretty.” – Tally says this showing her initial desire to conform to the societal standards of beauty.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Uglies Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting a fun, cheesy YA movie, and I got… well, half of that. The premise is interesting, I was really drawn in by the whole “uglies” vs. “pretties” concept. However, the execution was lacking. I think younger actors would have made a big difference, and a longer runtime would have served the story more justice. The whole thing felt rushed, it makes you wonder if the actors felt awkward while filming…

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dystopian fiction”
  • “Young adults interested in themes of beauty and conformity”
  • “Viewers who enjoy action-adventure stories with a touch of romance”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Dystopian themes”
  • “Violence”
  • “Brief mild language”
  • “Themes of social control and body image”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “The movie has a few good CGI moments and some OK action scenes but the plot is bad. The whole concept of the movie feels like they are trying to give off some Hunger Games vibe, and the rebellion being led by the Smoke is a little off, especially considering that his parents had a role to play.
• Letterboxd: “The dialogue is terrible, and the plot doesn’t help. It lacks plot development and good world building. The CGI shots weren’t enough to elevate this movie past a cashgrab.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers enjoyed the movie more than they thought they would, finding it fun and entertaining despite the teenage angst.: Fans of the books appreciated it, as a solid adaptation that captures the story and spirit.

Overall Consensus: Mixed reviews, with some appreciating the book accuracy, and many disliking the cringy dialogue, CGI, plot holes and the performances from the cast.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie is based on the first book of the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld, which spans four books and a spinoff series.”
• “Several reviewers pointed out that the actors were conventionally attractive people, making it ironic that they are playing characters considered “ugly.””
• “Filming took place in Atlanta, Georgia.”

🖥️ How to Watch Uglies?

Uglies is currently streaming on Netflix. At this time, there are no options to rent or purchase the film on other platforms. Check Netflix for regional availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Uglies, you might like these similar films:

• The Hunger Games (2012): Features a dystopian society, a strong female lead, and themes of rebellion against a controlling government.
• Divergent (2014): Explores themes of conformity versus individuality within a structured dystopian world.
• The Island (2005): Explores similar themes of bodily autonomy and a manufactured society.

🛒 Uglies Related Products

• Uglies: The Graphic Novel: Experience the world of Uglies in a visually stunning graphic novel adaptation, bringing the characters and settings to life.
• Hoverboard for beginners: The best Hoverboard to begin learning new tricks and moves!
• The Uglies Series: The Complete Collection: Own all four books in the Uglies series in digital format and dive deeper into the story and characters with new insights.
• Joey King Autographed ‘Uglies’ Movie Poster: Own a piece of movie history with this limited edition poster signed by Joey King, the star of Uglies. A must-have for collectors!

🎧 Soundtrack

Uglies features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Real Thing” – performed by JOYNER

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

#shorts Who is ugly 😤 in the future #shortsfeed #movie

Want to see a sneak peek of ‘Uglies’ and a glimpse into its futuristic world? This short clip is a scene from the movie that sets the stage for the film’s themes on beauty standards!

UGLIES is hilariously dumb…

Curious about what the critics are saying about ‘Uglies’? Alex Meyers gives a pretty brutal (and funny) review that’s worth checking out before you form your own opinion!

In Future, Being Ugly is a Crime so Everyone at 16 Must Have Plastic Surgery

Need a quick rundown of the plot of ‘Uglies’? This recap video condenses the whole movie into an easily digestible format. It’s like a cheat sheet, but without the guilt!

Joey King’s On-Set Diary shows Tally Youngblood’s transformation to a Pretty in #Uglies

Ever wondered how they transform the actors into the ‘Pretties’ in ‘Uglies’? Joey King’s on-set diary gives you a cool peek at the makeup and costume magic behind her character’s transformation!

✨ Rate