A new Netflix movie featuring Joey King is set in a grim future and has been likened to a blend of the sci-fi drama Black Mirror and the Hunger Games franchise.
2024 has delivered a mixed bag for the sci-fi genre, from the success of Dune 2 to the disappointment of Rebel Moon 2. The standout dystopian feature of the year has been Furiosa, although it didn’t achieve the box office success of its predecessor, Fury Road.
Netflix is diving into the dystopian landscape with a new film directed by McG. This movie is based on the popular Uglies books by Scott Westerfeld, with a screenplay crafted by Jacob Forman, Vanessa Taylor, and Whit Anderson. The official synopsis states:
“In a futuristic world that mandates cosmetic surgery at the age of 16, Tally is excited for her turn to conform to society’s standards. However, when a friend escapes, Tally embarks on a journey to rescue her, challenging everything she believed she desired.”
In this film, Joey King portrays Tally, who longs to be “pretty,” but soon discovers that the obligatory plastic surgery associated with this transformation comes with dire consequences for one’s mental state.
Tally emerges as a revolutionary figure, reminiscent of Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. This resemblance has prompted quick comparisons, with one commentator noting on Twitter/X: “Uglies is trying so hard to be The Hunger Games.”
This perception is somewhat misleading, given that the first Uglies book launched in 2005, three years prior to the initial Hunger Games novel.
One supporter pointed this out by stating: “I’ve already seen some talk about ‘it’s a Divergent rip-off’ – ‘Hunger Games rip-off.’ I don’t want to hear it – from ANY of you. So everybody BEHAVE YOURSELVES.”
Perfection is an illusion. UGLIES, based on the best-selling novel, premieres September 13.Starring Joey King, Chase Stokes, Brianne Tju, Keith Powers, and Laverne Cox. pic.twitter.com/4VOh18lW6p
— Netflix (@netflix) August 8, 2024
Another user commented: “When everyone was obsessing over The Hunger Games, I was advocating for Uglies as a far superior (and more plausible) young adult dystopian series.”
One of the lighter comparisons is made to Charlie Brooker’s own dystopian series, expressed through this tweet: “So the Uglies is just #BlackMirror for the TikTok kids?!”
Uglies is now available for streaming on Netflix.
Leave a Reply