September 25th 2024.
Are you ready for the latest scoop? Joey King's newest film, Uglies, has been taking the world by storm on Netflix. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the dystopian movie, based on the 2005 novel by Scott Westerfield, has managed to capture the hearts of viewers with an impressive 26.8 million views globally.
The story follows Tally, a teenager living in a society where cosmetic surgery is compulsory for 16-year-olds. But when she discovers a rebellious group known as The Smoke, her perspective on beauty and life completely changes. The star-studded cast includes Laverne Cox as the antagonist Dr. Cable, along with Brianne Tju, Keith Powers, and Chase Stokes. Uglies made its debut on the streaming platform earlier this month and has already accumulated a whopping 45.6 million hours of viewing.
Despite its popularity, the film has received a lukewarm response from critics, earning a disappointing 16% on Rotten Tomatoes. The Guardian's one-star review lamented that Uglies, "feels like just another throwaway product," while Polygon added that it "plays into all the lazy tropes YA dystopian novels are known for." Chicago Sun-Times wrote, "Everything about Uglies is average," and TV Guide criticized its lack of substance and action. However, these less-than-glowing reviews have not seemed to affect the overwhelming amount of love from audiences.
Contrary to the opinions of film critics, viewers have been buzzing about Uglies on social media and praising its futuristic setting, villainous characters, and catchy soundtrack. Some even demand that the sequel, Pretties, be adapted as soon as possible. @randomlyrj tweeted, "Give me a dystopian setting, flashy futuristic city, cunty villains, and a soundtrack that slaps, and I'm sold. I'm not here to look for substance or profound meaning, and that's why I enjoyed Uglies, and I need Pretties by next year, thank you very much." @stargirlily shared, "Just finished Uglies. So many tears, things were even more beautiful than I imagined. So incredible to see. I am just blown away. So so so excited for Pretties." And @flowers461991 added, "Am I the only one that liked the movie? It's been like a decade and a half since I touched those books, but I thought the movie was good enough for a Sunday afternoon."
Some fans did express their disappointment with the pacing of the film, feeling that it was slightly rushed. Filmmaker McG addressed these concerns and also responded to those criticizing the casting of conventionally attractive actors. "I think if you spoke to some of the most universally regarded beautiful people in the world, they're some of the people with the most intense body dysmorphia," he explained. "Nobody's immune from this toxicity that's out there of 'It's never enough. You can always have a thinner waist, bigger hips, fuller lips.' Take your pick. You see it out there every day, and this movie is meant to be the antidote to that way of thinking."
Meanwhile, the lead actress and producer of Uglies, Joey King, opened up about the personal significance of the project for her. "I was 11 years old when I read these books, and they were so impactful to me at that age, and they really helped carry me through my teen years," she revealed. "I was about 17 or 18 when I pitched Uglies to Netflix to make as a movie. It wasn't until I was 22 that we actually filmed them, and now I'm 25, and they're finally coming out." She also reflected on how she has changed as a person and an actress during the years it took to bring the film to fruition, saying, "So having this be something that I can really just give a nod to my younger self is really special."
Fans are eagerly awaiting news of a possible sequel, and with the massive streaming figures, it wouldn't be a surprise if a greenlight is announced soon. Uglies is now available for streaming on Netflix. Don't miss out on this exciting and thought-provoking movie. Have you watched it yet? Let us know your thoughts! And if you have any celebrity stories, videos, or pictures, we'd love to hear from you. Contact the entertainment team at The Agency by emailing us, calling 020 3615 2145, or visiting our Submit Stuff page.
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