Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Book-based tale with courageous female leads; some violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Uglies
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say the film follows the book's plot closely, making it more engaging than other adaptations, but it has received mixed reviews on character development and pacing. While many enjoy the messages about inner beauty and self-acceptance, others found the ending confusing and the story lacking depth, leading to a polarized reception overall.
- strong plot adherence
- mixed character development
- emphasis on inner beauty
- confusing ending
- polarizing reception
- casual viewing enjoyment
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In the futuristic world of UGLIES, teenagers live in high-tech dorms as they await a standard surgery on their 16th birthdays that will make them "pretty." Tally (Joey King) and Peris (Chase Stokes) are best friends who get separated when Peris becomes eligible for his surgery before her. Afterwards, Tally finds him totally changed, as if he doesn't recognize her. When she befriends rebel Shay (Brianne Tju), she realizes there might be an alternative world to the one she's been raised to believe makes sense.
Is It Any Good?
While the core ideas of this high-concept, book-based film from McG might feel simplistic to an adult audience, there's a chance they could have a real impact on younger viewers. The messaging behind Uglies will be helped along by an energetic star turn from the popular King, as well as the movie's construction of a compelling visual world, fast-paced action, and a contemporary soundtrack. The casting of trans actress Laverne Cox to play the pusher of perfection, meant to free people of "hatred and discrimination based on the way you look," was inspired.
Additionally of interest to its target audience, the constructs of every good high school movie are here—mutual crushes, kids wanting to fit in with the "in" crowd but also needing to figure out who they are, some necessary teen rebellion. It won't be lost on viewers that the "uglies" are all quite beautiful, but that's just one piece of the film that's best not analyzed too closely. If kids walk away believing that thinking for themselves, accepting their appearance, "reading, learning, dreaming," spending time off screens and in nature, and caring for the environment are all cool, then so be it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of the main messages teens can take away from Uglies. Can you apply any of these messages apply to your own life?
How do characters show courage? Is there a time in your life where you had to stand up to authority figures to do what you felt was the right thing?
Have you read the book series this film is based on? How does the book compare to the movie? What would you expect to happen in a sequel?
What does the future world look like in this film, compared with our world today? What techniques are used in cinema to construct futuristic cities like the one in Uglies? Where could you find more information?
What does "dystopian" mean? What other dystopian stories have you read or seen on film?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 13, 2024
- Cast : Joey King , Keith Powers , Chase Stokes
- Director : McG
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Book Characters , STEM
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some violence and action, and brief strong language
- Last updated : March 31, 2026
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