Movies News Talk

Uglies: The Netflix Movie Based on the Beloved Book Series

What is Uglies about?

Uglies tells the story of Tally Youngblood in a society where everyone undergoes mandatory cosmetic surgery at age 16 to become "pretty." Tally excitedly anticipates this transformation, envisioning herself with those "pretty" features that everyone in her society values so much, she’s so focused on that moment - that when her best friend goes missing before her surgery, Tally goes on a life-altering adventure - to learn more about her world. As she embarks on that journey, she starts to question those established rules and laws that her society has accepted - especially since she begins to understand the truth behind those rules about what constitutes as “pretty”, it has an impact on Tally as she learns the consequences - those truths about this society that she once thought was normal, it opens her eyes to a whole new world. This experience is a turning point, and it forces Tally to rethink those things she thought she knew.

Tally goes on this adventure and as she gets to experience this, it's the events which ultimately lead her to a key moment in her life. This adventure will be a pivotal journey - that will forever shape her view of what is true about Beauty. The book focuses on Tally and how she discovers who she really is.

Why Was There A Change To Peris' Story In Uglies?

book-cover-of-Uglies-and-imagery-from-Uglies Image

Peris's story is an important part of Uglies, it provides insight into how those key relationships develop as Tally and Peris face new challenges together. Peris is a key player who initially seemed to be so complacent with his pretty features. While Peris does eventually have a transformation - it is a transformation that happens earlier - with the events of Uglies as those changes take place earlier in the story, this impact on Peris because it changes those important aspects of their relationship, and that has an impact on how they see their own society.

The decision to change Peris’s character for the movie likely stemmed from a desire to bring a new level of excitement and dramatic tension into the storyline - those elements of the film would be enjoyed by those viewers who have been expecting this adaption to closely follow the book. Fans are eager to see just how the story has been adjusted in order to make it more impactful and engaging. In those areas of the series that may be seen as a deviation from the books - it adds some additional complexity and, that might be why the filmmakers chose to include it.

Does Netflix Have Plans To Adapt The Pretties and Specials Sequels Into Films?

Uglies (2024) - Poster Image

Uglies was a pretty successful movie for Netflix, and that could make it an ideal choice for those who are fans of the series - it might be a natural extension for Netflix. There have been many rumors about future releases but, no confirmation about those potential sequels as those who are waiting to learn more about that could be a huge step - for those who want to see how those stories will continue, as well as the other characters from that universe. This is definitely something those who are fans of Uglies will continue to watch for.

As a studio - they would be a bit reluctant to move forward with those sequels. The decision will ultimately be up to Netflix.

What Is Pretties About?

Netflix Logo Image

The sequel Pretties explores a whole new side to Tally as she faces those unforeseen consequences of the society, particularly after she gets to experience the society's “Pretty” side. Tally is forced to make tough choices and those decisions are a direct result of what she experienced while she was living in New Pretty Town. As she encounters more - it turns out that there are those challenges she hasn't faced yet. This leads Tally to have those moments where she has to stand up for herself, and she becomes a person who doesn't let those forces hold her back, this gives her a sense of strength.

The events in the sequel: Pretties see Tally being faced with some difficult moments - those where she has to face a world that's both dangerous and in some ways, full of Beauty as she encounters those challenges. She is ultimately a person who will be forced to learn what's really important and it's not just those external qualities of beauty that she once sought after.

What Is Specials About?

Specials - the final book in the series, continues to showcase Tally’s journey. Those characters who have gone through that Transformation from “Ugly” to “Pretty” and it's that adventure that has brought them together. The series is full of those unforeseen moments and, those times when characters encounter those unexpected situations. As those characters go on their mission - to complete those tasks. In this book – they'll have those key elements - to face their fears - it's the events that often will lead them to an understanding of what their true purpose is.

It’s in that last book that they get to see a more mature version of Tally - as she continues to question how those past choices that she made will have those outcomes - those decisions - that will determine just how this particular adventure will be resolved.

What Are Some of The Series' Most Popular Elements?

Uglies a story that is known for those series elements of young adult fiction. It's a series that Captures those key moments and events: with those themes of identity, beauty – that often shape a teenager's perception of the world. The story continues to explore those important questions that teens often have to grapple with. Fans often discover those themes that can be challenging as it also presents a fun and imaginative - and creative story that is often seen as a coming of age.

As those who have been watching the Uglies series will be eager to see those major events which have continued to make this such a popular and fascinating series that explores those critical moments in life.

Related Articles