New Delhi:
Joey King fans gather here. Netflix has finally revealed the trailer for the long-awaited film adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s book. Uglygiving fans their first look at the dystopian world that has been years in the making. The trailer opens with Tally (Joey King) reflecting on her lifelong desire to be “beautiful,” as a Siri-like voice wakes her up in her fancy, dystopian dorm room. The tone is immediately set for a world where perfection is not only desired, but mandatory. The clip quickly transitions to a ceremonial gathering reminiscent of Divergent or The Giver, where the teens eagerly await their transformation. Laverne Cox’s Dr. Cable makes a chilling promise: “All the flaws you have today will disappear tomorrow with one fancy procedure,” encapsulating the societal obsession with perfection.
Visually, the trailer teases Tally’s journey from conformity to rebellion, showing her sneaking around the city in a pig mask, a nod to Scott Westerfeld’s original book. Tensions mount as Tally confronts the stark contrast between her friend Peris, who has undergone the procedure, and Shay, who rejects the system completely. “You get the surgery, they tell you what to do, and that’s it,” Shay warns, hinting at the darker truths behind the seemingly perfect world.
The trailer also introduces Keith Powers as David, the leader of The Smoke, a rebellious group living outside the city who reject surgery and choose a simpler life. His presence hints at a significant turning point for Tally as she begins to question the social norms she has come to believe 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 social pressure. Joey King also serves as an executive producer.
The film stars Joey King as Tally Youngblood, alongside Chase Stokes as Peris, Keith Powers as David, Brianne Tju as Shay, and Laverne Cox as the formidable Dr. Cable. Set in a futuristic society, Uglies centers on Tally as she eagerly awaits the day when 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.