Uglies, Netflix’s 2024 adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s young-adult dystopian novel, received poor scores from critics on both Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. Audience ratings on those same services were less negative, so “critical dud” describes the reviews—not a universal verdict from viewers.
What is Uglies about?
Set in a future where everyone undergoes cosmetic surgery at 16, the film follows Tally Youngblood, who is eager to become a “Pretty” and join the society she has grown up in. When her friend Shay runs away, Tally sets out to find her. The story is based on Scott Westerfeld’s novel, first published in 2005; Westerfeld served as an executive producer. Netflix Tudum’s film guide identifies McG as director and Joey King as Tally, with Brianne Tju, Keith Powers, Chase Stokes, and Laverne Cox also starring.
Rotten Tomatoes lists the film as a 2024 science-fiction, adventure, action, and drama title. It is rated PG-13, runs 1 hour 40 minutes, and began streaming on September 13, 2024. Rotten Tomatoes’ listing is a useful reference for the film’s current reception snapshot.
How did critics rate the film?
As checked on October 8, 2026, Rotten Tomatoes showed a 15% Tomatometer from 55 critic reviews. Metacritic showed a 34/100 Metascore from 15 critic reviews, labeling the result “Generally Unfavorable.” These figures come from different aggregation systems and should not be read as directly equivalent scores. Metacritic’s listing provides its score and review sample.
#1 Best Overall
Both numbers are snapshots, not permanent ratings: scores and review counts can change as services add reviews. They also describe critics’ published reviews, not how many people watched the film or what all viewers thought.
What did reviewers criticize?
The critical objections displayed by Metacritic point to a familiar set of problems: a dystopian YA premise that feels overfamiliar or dated, a weak script, and choppy editing. These are recurring strands of the criticism, not a claim that every reviewer made the same argument. Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus puts its own assessment more wryly: “It’s what’s on the inside that counts, but unfortunately Uglies doesn’t have much going on in there, either.” That is Rotten Tomatoes’ aggregator consensus, not a quote from an individual critic.
Did audiences like Uglies more?
The audience measures were higher or less negative than the critic scores on both services, though neither is a scientific survey. Rotten Tomatoes showed a 42% Popcornmeter from 1,000+ audience ratings on October 8, 2026. Metacritic showed a 4.4/10 user score from 66 ratings on that date, labeled “Mixed or Average.” Those figures should be kept separate from critic scores: they use different rating pools and methods, and they do not establish a universal audience consensus.
Metacritic’s displayed user reviews include viewers who found the adaptation enjoyable or faithful, alongside others who objected to its pacing, execution, or ending. Individual reactions help explain why reception can differ, but isolated comments are not representative audience findings.
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How does the film adapt the book’s ending?
Spoilers for the film and the novel follow.
Netflix Tudum says Tally eventually returns to the Pretty forces and agrees to become Pretty as part of a plan to help the Smokies test their cure and give people a choice. The film then offers a glimpse of Pretty Tally after the original novel’s final lines. That extension gives the adaptation a visual coda beyond the book’s ending; whether it feels complete depends on what a viewer wants from the story’s conclusion.
Westerfeld described the book’s particular contrast this way: “Here’s a super important thing about Uglies: It’s set in a dystopia, but it’s full of people who are having fun anyway.” The film’s director, McG, framed its beauty theme as a commentary on image-making today: “The film’s really about beauty as interior,” he said. “It’s a commentary on what we’re experiencing today, where so many people can’t just take a photograph and post it on social media. You’ve got to put it through the filter, you’ve got to edit it, you’ve got to do the thing to present this idealized version of beauty.” These are the creators’ perspectives on the material, distinct from the critics’ reception.
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Should you watch the film or read the novel?
If you are curious about the premise but want the story in its original form, Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies is the source novel. The film offers the same central setup—beauty standards enforced through surgery and a teenager questioning the system—but changes the ending’s presentation. Netflix lists the film as a streaming title; availability can vary by region. Check Netflix’s title page for local access.
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