I’m sure the novel Uglies is based on makes a lot more sense since it has a lot of space to world-build and explore themes like external beauty, class, and identity. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the movie Uglies, which is almost impressively out of date in look and tone. The CGI is 2000s-level wonky and the premise is unconvincing. You’re telling me these Hollywood kids are supposed to be ugly? So ugly that they’re nicknamed after their defects— “Nose,” “Skinny,” and “Squint”? What would they call normal-looking people like us? Slurs? And don’t get me started on their “pretty” versions. It’s literally just them with layers of makeup and a touch of Botox, which I suppose could be the point, but also…just wear makeup? It’s mind-numbingly confusing. The world of the Uglies doesn’t even seem that bad—they’re fed, roomed, allowed to explore their environment, and create friendships. A lot of people in the real world would kill for that level of comfort. If freethought is what’s being killed here, then they should have focused on that more. Ironically, the movie itself seems too preoccupied with looks to get that, so what we get instead is this half-baked mess.

The outcasts look way more attractive than the so-called Pretties. Good for the actors! Bad for the foundational premise of the entire film.