Summary
- "Ugly" is a term used for children aged 12-16 in a world where subjects are obsessed with their flaws and desire a cosmetic operation.
- The Uglies book series follows the protagonist Tally Youngblood as she navigates a world divided into Uglies, Pretties, and Specials.
- The Netflix adaptation of Uglies has a star-studded cast including Joey King and Laverne Cox, bringing Scott Westerfeld's dystopian universe to life.
Netflix's new movie Uglies is based on the critically acclaimed and widely popular young adult sci-fi novel by Scott Westerfeld, but those who haven't read the books might wonder why characters are referred to as "ugly." Uglies is the first book in what was originally a trilogy but has since expanded into a larger series that connects to one of Scott Westerfeld's other series, Impostors. Uglies has been a long time coming—Netflix's Uglies movie adaptation has taken years to release, with production for the first movie beginning almost 20 years ago. Uglies has an epic cast, including Joey King and Laverne Cox.
The story follows Tally Youngblood, played by Joey King, an almost 16-year-old girl ready to join her best friend, Peris, in the world of Pretties. However, after meeting another fellow Ugly named Shay, played by Brianne Tju, Tally realizes their world is a lot more complex than it seems and that people are hiding the horrific truth about their divided world. Eventually, Tally must decide whether she really wants the Pretty Operation despite her exhaustion from being an Ugly.
Related
Uglies: 10 Tech Gadgets the Netflix Adaptation Needs to Have
Scott Westerfeld was the master at creating cool gadgets in his Uglies book series that just can't be left out of the upcoming Netflix adaptation.
"Ugly" Is A Term Used To Identify People In The Dystopian World Of Scott Westerfeld's Uglies Books
Uglies Are One Of Three Types Of People
Uglies is a term used to describe children aged 12 to 16 in Scott Westerfield's dystopian universe. When children turn 12, they leave their Pretty parents and move to the Uglyville dorms, officially becoming an Ugly. During these four years, Uglies are indoctrinated to become obsessed with their flaws, so much so that by the time they turn 16, they are desperate for the Pretty Operation. Part of the indoctrination includes weaponizing people's flaws against them, using technology that show Uglies what they will look like as Pretties, and are constantly reminded of their "ugly" appearance.
The Original Uglies Trilogy | Publication Date |
|---|---|
Uglies | February 8, 2005 |
Pretties | November 1, 2005 |
Specials | May 9, 2006 |
Uglies Turn "Pretty" After A Cosmetic Operation In The Series
Pretties And Specials Are The Other Two Types Of People
There are two other types of people in this dystopian world—Pretties and Specials. When Uglies turn 16, they undergo a surgery that turns them Pretty. There are three types of Pretties. Regular pretties are young adults living lavishly with no responsibilities, while Middle Pretties are middle-aged adults with jobs and families. Late Pretties are elderly Pretties who live in Crumblyville. Each stage is marked with a new operation. The initial Pretty Operation erases all flaws, which is why the terminology changes. However, when Tally learns the truth, she realizes that the Pretty Operation does more than remove physical flaws.
Some pretties become Specials, the third type of person in the series. Pretties must undergo another operation to become a Special, but the procedure rewards them with superhuman abilities. Specials are responsible for keeping the system in place. Their purpose is to terrify people to remain in line and not rebel against the system. Dr. Cable, played by Laverne Cox, is a Special and the head of the Special Circumstances department. The Specials are the primary antagonists of the Uglies series.
Uglies (2024)
Drama
Sci-Fi
Based on the novel of the same name, Uglies is a sci-fi drama series released on Netflix in 2024. The series follows a young woman named Tally Youngblood who must face difficult choices in a world where turning sixteen means undergoing a mandatory operation that erases physical differences between people.
- Cast
- Joey King , Keith Powers , Brianne Tju , Chase Stokes , laverne cox
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Franchise(s)
- Uglies
- Writers
- Jacob Forman , Vanessa Taylor , Whit Anderson
- Directors
- McG
- Creator(s)
- Scott Westerfeld
