‘Uglies’ adaptation: A journey from page to screen
A novel’s unexpected cinematic journey
When the novel “Uglies” was published in 2005, its author never imagined it would be adapted into a film. The reason was simple: “There’s nobody in Hollywood who’s gonna want to make a movie about ugly people.” Despite this, the author had a message for the young fans who dreamed of seeing Tally Youngblood’s story on the big screen. ”One of you is going to grow up to be a movie producer,” he would tell classrooms and bookstores full of pre-teen readers. Fast forward 20 years, and that prophecy has come true.
The driving force behind the adaptation
The person responsible for bringing “Uglies” to life is none other than actor and executive producer Joey King. King, who takes on the lead role of Tally, was instrumental in pitching the project to Netflix. The adaptation, now streaming, explores a dystopian world where everyone is considered an “Ugly” until they undergo mandatory cosmetic surgery at age 16, transforming them into a “Pretty.” However, this beauty comes at a significant cost—the surgery fundamentally alters who they are.
A personal connection to the story
King read the book during her formative years, and it left a lasting impact on her. “Little did I know that I was going to pitch the movie to Netflix when I was 17 or 18, wasn’t going to shoot it till I was 22, and it wouldn’t come out till I was 25. Life is funny that way!” she reflects. Her passion for the source material carried her through the years-long process of bringing the film to audiences. “This book meant so much to me when I was that age, and helped really carry me through my teenage years. It helped my own perception of self-acceptance and image. I’m really excited to just give my 11-year-old self a nod and show her, ‘We did it!'”
Themes that resonate today
Despite being nearly two decades old, the themes of ”Uglies” are more relevant than ever. The Pretties’ faces closely resemble TikTok beauty filters and influencers’ cookie-cutter fillers. King acknowledges the irony of a knockout like herself being cast as an Ugly but explains that the characters’ perception of beauty is warped by their society’s expectations. “The truth is, there’s no difference between the Uglies and Pretties in our stories. The only difference is that they do something horrible to our brain. They basically turn up your yassification.”
A new challenge for Chase Stokes
Among the yassified is “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes, who plays Peris, a character who undergoes the transformation early in the film. “What a tricky thing to see the Pretties as sort of like an original TikTok house and immediately wanting to vomit,” he says with a laugh. ”It’s scary. What is happening?” Stokes saw this role as an opportunity to showcase his range beyond his famous “OBX” role. “When you’re in a situation like I’ve been, where you get to play the same character for a number of years, it’s always fun to kind of challenge yourself and do something out of your comfort zone. And this is definitely a character that carries no resemblance to John B, from the beginning to the end of the film,” he says. “There’s more to Chase than just John B, and this is just the beginning of that.”
A message for the younger generation
Stokes hopes that young viewers will take away a significant message from “Uglies.” “I really hope that the younger generation just gives themselves grace and gives themselves an opportunity to take a second away from social media, or just the idea of trying to physically be the perfect version of human existence and start to go more internally. I think we sort of lost touch with doing those deep dives,” he says.
King shares a similar hope for the film’s impact. She believes the story’s message of informed consent and bodily autonomy is particularly relevant today. ”I think a lot of people, especially during an election year, can feel the weight of what that means: of not being able to choose what happens to your own body. So I hope that this film allows people to remember that even with all the societal pressures, or the things you see on TikTok or Instagram, that there is always a choice, and whatever you choose to do with yourself and your own body, just make sure it’s what makes you happy.”
Watch the trailer
For those eager to dive into this dystopian world, you can watch the trailer for Uglies and explore more about the film.
This adaptation of “Uglies” is not just a film; it’s a reflection of societal pressures and the quest for self-acceptance. It’s a story that resonates with both young and old, reminding us that beauty is more than skin deep.