Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins, and Katniss Everdeen move aside. It is time to introduce a new hero, but, in this case, her spirit and mindset might already be flourishing in people all around the world. The recently released movie, Uglies, which is currently ranking second in Netflix’s Top 10 in the United States, spreads quite the message. Captivating at least the attention of anyone who is interested in YA book-to-movie adaptations, the Netflix movie might also be of interest to social media users, especially those who are occasionally making use of various beauty filters.
Set in a futuristic dystopian world, Uglies centers on the life of Tally Youngblood. The teenager has spent the past few years of her life longing for a specific day that society presents as becoming worthy of the wonders that life holds. During her wait, she forms friendships, some even unexpected, wants nothing more than to become pretty, and learns what it means to betray and be betrayed. Despite being based on Scott Westerfeld’s book of the same name which was released almost two decades ago, the theme of beauty standards holds up to this day.
Tally, who is portrayed by Joey King, is sent on a journey to learn an imperative lesson, but the real hero isn’t King’s character. So let’s take a deep dive into the world of Uglies and find out.
Beauty Standards In a Futuristic World
In Uglies, beauty standards are at the center of every conversation, every relationship, and every lesson. Family ties are cut when young children are sent to boarding school, where they are constantly taught that they look ugly. Luckily enough, society offers a solution for that. An extreme transformation through cosmetic surgery on the day of their 16th birthday marks the beginning of life as worthy and stunning people called Pretties.
Once the transformation is concluded, those teenagers leave Uglyville and are sent to the mesmerizing city, Pretty Town, where daily life is lavish and filled with a myriad of thrilling experiences. From using so-called bungee jackets to get a kick out of jumping from skyscrapers to magical parties with sparkling ceilings, Pretties seemingly have it all.
Joey King as Tally Youngblood manages to bring across the difficulty of feeling left out of society because of her looks and desperately wanting to change her appearance in order to fit in. The desire, even the need, to be seen as beautiful and regarded as enough holds her and her colleagues in a tight grip. The only solution is cosmetic surgery. It is a connection that can be drawn to real life, as social media and their beauty filters become increasingly out of hand.
The beauty standards in Uglies and the beauty standards in real life are one and the same in many ways. The smooth face, full lips, long legs, perfectly shaped body parts. These expectations are an illusion, and they are fleeting as well as futile. Who defines what beauty is? It is a question that is asked in Uglies, and the real hero of the movie has an answer to it.
The Real Hero in Netflix’s Uglies
Who doesn’t know it? The moment of realization after having been glued to the screen of your phone, eyes wide as they try to focus on the fast-paced online life, not knowing how much time had actually passed. It might cause a spiral of contemplation. Could this time be spent with something that actually matters? The answer, as tough as it is, is always yes. Uglies captures this exact feeling when Tally asks Shay if she doesn’t have a profile in order to try out different filters in preparation for her cosmetic surgery. Shay, who is played by Brianne Tju, indeed doesn’t have one. She regards it as a waste of time, a way of society making her feel “less than”, forcing her to focus on things, norms, and expectations, which don’t matter.
Shay is aware that beauty cannot be defined, and that it is important to break free from societal constraints. That there is beauty in each wrinkle on someone’s face and a story found in the unique looks of each person. By sharing her view, Shay first slightly scares Tally off, but at the same time, she plants an essential seed, which takes the entire rebellion, The Smoke, a step further. (Well, at least after Tally almost cost everyone their life, but that’s not the point). Real life is just like one of the characters and leader of the rebellion, David, explains in the movie, as he says that:
“They make us feel so alone and so insecure that we don’t have time for things that actually matter.”
Tally was caught in a downward spiral, losing herself in her insecurity which was nurtured by unfair societal expectations and unrealistic beauty standards, and she was taught that becoming pretty is the only way to be able to enjoy life. Without Shay, Tally would never have had the realization of true beauty and what really is important. Even though Tally ultimately takes on the role of the savior, almost even sacrificing herself in a desperate try for redemption, Shay is the real MVP in this story, and in everyone’s story in real life. Shay opens Tally’s eyes, her heart, and her mind to life beyond a restricted mindset based on society’s pressures.
Ultimately, there is no doubt that everyone would benefit from a Shay in their life, showing them that true beauty comes from the inside and can be found in the most simple or unexpected places on earth. Shay’s spirit could live in whoever crosses your path on the streets, and, hopefully, she was not only able to change Tally’s mindset but also positively influence people all around the world.
Check out our interview with Joey King and Brianne Tju below in order to get their opinion on the importance of Uglies. Uglies is available to stream on Netflix.
