New Delhi:
Joey King fans gather here. Netflix has finally released the trailer for Scott Westerfeld’s highly anticipated film adaptation. Uglywhich gives fans their first look at the dystopian world that has been in development for years. The trailer opens with Tally (Joey King) reflecting on her lifelong desire to be “pretty” when a Siri-like voice wakes her up in her stylish, dystopian dorm room. The tone is immediately set on a world where perfection is not only desired, but forced. The clip quickly transitions to a ceremonial gathering reminiscent of Divergent or The Giver, where teenagers eagerly await their transformation. Laverne Cox’s Dr Cable makes a chilling promise: “All of today’s flaws will be removed tomorrow in one elegant procedure,” summing up society’s obsession with perfection.
Visually, the trailer teases Tally’s journey from adapting to rebellion, showing her sneaking through town in a pig mask, a nod to Scott Westerfeld’s original book. The tension builds as Tally faces a stark contrast between her friend Peris, who has already had the procedure, and Shay, who rejects the system entirely. “You get surgery, they tell you what to do, and that’s it,” Shay warns, hinting at darker truths behind the seemingly perfect world.
The trailer also introduces Keith Powers as David, the leader of the out-of-town rebel group The Smoke, who rejects surgery and chooses a simpler life. His presence marks a significant turning point for Tally as she begins to question the societal norms she once believed in.
Directed by McG and written by Jacob Forman, Vanessa Taylor and Whit Anderson, Uglies promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of beauty, identity and societal pressure. Joey King also serves as executive producer.
The film stars Joey King as Tally Youngblood, Chase Stokes as Peris, Keith Powers as David, Brianne Tju as Shay and Laverne Cox as the awesome Dr. Cable. Set in a futuristic society, Uglies focuses on Tally as she looks forward to the day she can undergo a mandatory cosmetic procedure that transforms all 16-year-olds into flawless, model-like versions of themselves. However, when Tally’s new friend Shay questions the system and runs away, Tally is forced to confront everything she thought she knew about beauty and society.
The film is set to premiere on Netflix on September 13.
