Dystopian Movies Don't Seem That Far Off Anymore, Do They?

According to Feminista Jones, the fictional storyline in Uglies kinda sorta rings true.

Lately, it seems like we’re living in a dystopian novel so I decided to check out the newest futuristic, the-world-has-gone-completely-mad film, Uglies, now streaming on Netflix. Based on the book series by Scott Westerfield, the film takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where the solution to the world’s conflicts is to make everyone look their best, aka “pretty.” If I haven’t lost you yet (and I hope I haven’t), in this new world people are required to have cosmetic surgery that not only enhances their appearance but also erases any memory of who they once were and alters their brains to make them loyal to the people in control. On their sixteenth birthdays, each person selects the hair, eyes, smiles, and bodies they want so they can finally be “beautiful.” Some rebels, however, decide they don’t want any part of the surgery and find their way to a secret colony of defectors called The Smoke. These renegades have decided to stay “ugly” and live their lives as people once did--i.e. normal.

The film stars some lesser-known actors and actresses like Joey King, who plays Tally, the main protagonist, and Keith Powers, who plays David, the only person born into The Smoke. Laverne Cox (Orange Is The New Black) stars as Dr. Cable, the maniacal leader of the Pretty Project who is hellbent on ensuring everyone transforms and falls in line. This casting is probably the most interesting thing about the film because Cox is transgender and plays a character who says things like, “It’s time to be your best self, the self you always wanted.” I appreciate that Netflix cast a Black trans woman in the role, and even though the character isn’t trans, there is something poignant about that casting choice.

Unfortunately, that’s when the fun ends, folks. Cox is a bit flat in her depiction but, to be fair, so is everyone else in this film. I don’t usually read reviews but I did peruse a few critiques from people who loved the books and they all agree the film did not do the original stories justice. From the special effects and world-building to the costuming and overall aesthetic, readers were severely let down. But let’s be honest, that very well might have been the result of budget constraints.

So I decided not to be too hasty in my judgment of the premise. It’s a dystopian story and, of course, there are deeper meanings. Some of the messaging hits like a sledgehammer, but I never expect young adult science fiction to be subtle. Don’t get me wrong: I was #TeamHungerGames all the way but these stories can be a bit heavy-handed on the social commentary: “Looks aren’t everything.” “It’s what is inside that counts.” “Striving to be the most beautiful can cost you your personality and all of the things that make you uniquely you.” “Black people lead every important rebellion and revolution.”

You get it.

I no longer consider any of these kinds of films outlandish; we’re *this* close to the U.S. becoming Gilead (The Handmaid’s Tale). So I watched Uglies thinking about how feasible a project like this would be and thought to myself, “Yup, I can totally see these people thinking The Transformation is a good idea.”

I give up. 

What I do like is the cast’s diversity. Principal roles are primarily filled by African American, Latin-American, and Asian American actors. I’m not sure if they were written that way, so I can’t comment on how true to the books the casting is, but I do like that they didn’t focus on one standard of beauty (though Black people choosing to have blonde hair and blue eyes in the film was a message in and of itself). I also liked the idea that the majority of The Smoke collective wasn’t white and that they built a community based on communal values found primarily in the histories and cultures of African, Asian, and Indigenous peoples.

Overall, the film was way too short for my taste, so you’re left wondering, “Ok, so what next?” Since it’s based on a series, Uglies could have several seasons. I’m not sure it has enough support, though, and the ratings have been ridiculously low. But Netflix keeps pushing it, so I’m inclined to think they have plans to bring sequels. Do you need to see this? No. Not at all. I am happy to see Laverne Cox getting lead roles, so clap it up for trans representation in Hollywood! Other than that? Meh. If they had just given the film one more hour, we could have dug a little deeper into the main characters and their backstories.

Have you seen Uglies yet? What did you think?