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Spoiler Alert !!!The following article contains spoilers for Leviathan!

The wait is over! Netflix has finally dropped its 12-episode steampunk masterpiece, Leviathan, and it did not disappoint. Taking place in a World War I setting, the show is a small-screen masterpiece to watch, which took us by surprise. This work is the latest addition to the growing trend of adaptation of Western novels, adapted directly from Scott Westerfield’s steampunk novel trilogy of the same name.

Like the source material, the anime has a Studio Ghibli-esque blend of beautiful animation hiding complex and moving themes in an alternate history featuring genetically engineered animals and walking tanks that hold a meaningful story behind them and will take its viewers by surprise. But one question remains: “What did the ending of Leviathan signify?”

Leviathan Ending: Will Aleksander and Sharp Meet Again?

Studio Orange’s Leviathan takes place in an alternate history...

Fans of the hit shonen anime and manga franchise Fire Force are having an excellent year so far, with a long string of good news announcements that don't seem to be slowing down. Following the debut announcement of the streaming release date for Season 3, Fire Force fans were also treated to an announcement regarding availability, with Hulu picking up the series in addition to Crunchyroll.

Less than a week after this announcement, Netflix has announced that it will also be streaming the third season of Fire Force, giving fans several different services to watch on. The announcement arrived via the official Netflix Anime X (formerly Twitter) account, with a post showing a highlight reel of several notable 2025 anime releases that will be available for streaming on the platform. Many of the series listed in the post are well-known quantities for Netflix already, such as the fantasy series My Happy Marriage,...

Japanese entertainment giant Toho has taken the anime industry by surprise again by acquiring a significant stake in Studio Orange, the creative powerhouse behind Trigun Stampede and Beastars. Toho announced it will purchase 19.7% of Orange’s shares in January 2025. This partnership aims to elevate the quality of both studios' works, strengthen global collaborations, and expand their production capabilities. Though financial details remain undisclosed, the move shows Toho’s growing interest in leading anime innovation and storytelling.

Studio Orange has consistently pushed the boundaries of CGI in anime. Their groundbreaking work on Haruko Ishikawa's Land of the Lustrous and Paru Itagaki's Beastars proves their reputation for striking, character-driven stories. This partnership with Toho has the potential to redefine what is possible in anime production.

Toho’s Strategic Investments in Animation Studios Toho’s Bold Moves to Dominate Anime Production

Toho's stake in Studio Orange is part of a broader strategy...

Perfection is attainable and mandatory in the dystopian universe of Uglies. As the credits roll for Netflix's YA adaptation, a lot of fans have been left with the immediate impression that the film requires a sequel as soon as possible. As of yet, Netflix hasnt announced a sequel to Uglies, but fans of the original book series will know that there is definitely room for further adaptions. Scott Westerfield's novel series consists of Uglies and its three sequels, Pretties, Specials, and Extras. Pretties continues the story of Tally (Joey King), in her newer form. So, what will it take for the rest of the series to find life on the streaming service?...

“Speak No Evil” James McAvoy is deliciously menacing in “Speak No Evil” but how was the movie? (See review below) “My Old Ass” See why I’m calling “My Old Ass” one of the best coming-of-age films in years! (See review below) “Uglies” Based on the popular novel by Scott Westerfield, “Uglies” has Joey King in

The post Movie Reviews: “Speak No Evil,” “My Old Ass,” “Uglies” appeared first on Manny the Movie Guy.

A new sci-fi book-to-movie adaptation, Uglies, was just released on Netflix, and it is the perfect excuse to revisit one of Jenna Ortega's most underrated movies. Uglies is a brand-new sci-fi action movie starring Joey King, Brianne Tju, Chase Stokes, and Laverne Cox that is based on a 2005 young adult book series by Scott Westerfield. Uglies takes place in a dystopian future where individuals undergo intense cosmetic surgery to become more attractive. However, as 16-year-old Tally's procedure nears, she discovers what life is like outside of society's beauty standards.

Uglies is a particularly exciting release for Netflix. Not only does the film have a star-studded cast, but it also has a pre-existing fan base due to Westerfield's 2005 book. On top of that, Uglies was also in the works for nearly a decade before releasing. Though the movie was optioned in 2006, it took eight years to get it made. Now,...

Get the scoop on Jan Luis Castellanos, one of the actors appearing in Netflix’s Uglies.

Based on Scott Westerfield’s 2005 novel of the same name, Uglies presents an unsettling dystopian future. One in which all teenagers are mandated to undergo extensive cosmetic surgery once they hit 16, in order to conform to the world’s lofty, generic beauty standards. In the film, Jan Luis Castellanos portrays Croy.

Meet Jan Luis Castellanos - Biography Details Read full article on The Direct.

Scott Westerfield's 2005 dystopian novel "Uglies" appeals to fans of the YA dystopia genre for hyperspecific reasons. It fleshes out a post-scarcity future that dabbles in superficiality, establishes adolescent personhood that clashes with these problematic ideals, and verbalizes the visceral anxieties of growing up in a world that favors a very narrow definition of what is beautiful. These concepts are molded convincingly in Westerfield's capable hands, and it is not difficult to gauge why the book is popular among its intended demographic; it is well-written, underscores a shared experience, and imbibes all qualities of a page-turner. However, in director McG's (aka Joseph McGinty Nichol) hands, "Uglies" has been molded into a drab, incoherent YA adaptation that does not even pretend to explore Westerfield's rich, exciting world.

This hasn't stopped the Joey King and Chase Stokes-starrer from reigning supreme on the U.S. Netflix charts, where it is currently sitting at No.

Young adult narratives set in dystopian worlds have become a relic of the past back in the last decade itself, but Netflix can’t help churning them out nearly every month. This time, they have got their hands on Scott Westerfield’s novel Uglies, the cinematic adaptation of which unfurls a story that connects body dysmorphia with the question of human free will, which sounds like an intriguing concept on paper and might even be interpreted by the uninitiated as having certain underlying complex themes of identity and human psyche. But in reality, it’s a rather milquetoast narrative that barely scratches the surface of the promising concept it introduces. Add to that a generic plot, uninteresting characters, and a lack of drama and action, Uglies manages to put forward a strong argument that it’s justified its title more directly than it intended.

Spoilers Ahead

The World Of Pretties...

After languishing in production hell for nearly a decade, Scott Westerfield’s young adult dystopian fantasy novel Uglies has received a cinematic adaptation produced by Netflix. Revolving around a dystopian future where enforcing standards of physical beauty has turned out to be a way to mitigate human conflicts and discrimination, the movie boasts a stacked cast comprising some familiar and some new faces. Being honest, the majority of the characters of the movie are presented as generic and uninteresting, which contributes to an overall forgettable experience. Still, a handful of well-written, well-acted character portrayals turn out to be saving grace at the end.

Tally Youngblood Played by Joey King

Joey King is a familiar face to the audience, rising to stardom after playing the lead in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth trilogy, but even before that, she already had a promising career as a child actor, having appeared in movies...

Spoiler Alert: This post contains spoilers for Uglies on Netflix.

Uglies star and producer Joey King first became aware of Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies book series when she was 11 years old, and now more than 10 years later, her pitch to adapt the first book into a film to Netflix will yield its result.

Uglies is based in a futuristic society that requires teenagers to get a cosmetic surgery once they turn 16 to make them “pretty,” or devoid of facial flaws with a toned body. Tally Youngblood (King) dreams of the day she can have the operation and get a symmetrical face, until her new friend Shay (Brianne Tsu) runs away to the rumored community known as The Smoke with the mysterious man David (Keith Powers), and Dr. Cable (Laverne Cox) sends her after Shay with the blackmail that she will never get surgery if she doesn’t retrieve her missing friend.

The world of Uglies sends a harsh message that everyone needs to live up to a "perfect" standard of beauty. But the theme of the movie is the exact opposite -- and that positive idea is one of the reasons that Keith Powers was interested in the project. The actor plays David, who is part of the Smoke and who teams up with Tally Youngblood (portrayed by Joey King).

In an interview with Cbr, Powers spoke about his first exposure to the Scott Westerfeld novel that Uglies was based on. He also reflected on the message being sent to the young adult audience in this Netflix original movie. Plus, he talks about his on-set relationship with Joey King and how that helped inform the dynamic between Keith and Tally.

Cbr: You were not a fan of the book Uglies prior to getting the part of David, so what attracted you...

Sci-fi and fantasy movies have always taught us that fascism is bad and that we shouldn’t discriminate against each other under any circumstances because that leads to the death of humanity. Even though its rabid fanbase will claim otherwise, Star Wars has consistently talked about the dangers of dictatorship and highlighted the importance of rebelling. Young-adult franchises like The Hunger Games and Divergent have all been about the need to protect democracy and human rights because they take years to build and only a second of bigotry to destroy. I grew up watching all these movies, and, despite my low cognitive skills, I understood their anti-fascist messages, and I continue to promote them till this day. So, you can imagine my confusion upon seeing people who have also watched these movies and stars who have gained popularity by cosplaying as revolutionaries, partaking in discrimination, and celebrating wanton violence. Uglies,...

A brave young woman battles a repressive society in a dystopian future, while honing her archery skills in the process. No, it’s not The Hunger Games, but rather Netflix’s latest cinematic sci-fi YA effort, based on the 2005 bestselling novel by Scott Westerfield that spawned several sequels. Joey King stars in this screen adaptation helmed by McG, and while Uglies won’t erase anyone’s memories of the previously mentioned cinematic franchise, it proves a reasonably engrossing thriller that should please younger audiences.

The hard-working Joey King (the Kissing Booth series, The Act, We Were the Lucky Ones) plays the central role of Tally, who lives in a futuristic world that mandates cosmetic surgery at age 16 for all of its citizens (doesn’t seem that far-fetched an idea these days) who are known as the “Uglies” before they’re transformed into the “Pretties.” Not that Tally objects, as she...

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Netflix's Uglies is set in a futuristic world where mandatory cosmetic surgery is set for the age of sixteen so that everyone will look beautiful. The idea is that this will put a cease to war and fighting, because everyone is living on an even playing field. Tally Youngblood (Joey King) is eager for her turn to join the rest of society, but when a friend runs away, she embarks on a journey to save her that upends everything she thought she wanted.

Uglies is a sci-fi movie based on Scott Westerfield's novel of the same name. It is the first of four books, leaving the door wide open to make this a franchise rather than just a standalone film. Something that Netflix would surely love to see happen. Uglies starts streaming on Netflix on September 13th.

Related This Tease...

Netflix's Uglies is jump-started when the movie's hero, Tally Youngblood, realizes that her friend Shay has gone missing. Shay's decision to run away prompts Tally to question society's mandatory cosmetic surgeries -- and reveals that there's an entire group of people rebelling against the idea. It's Shay who opens Tally's eyes to the possibilities other than becoming a "Pretty."

Ahead of the film's release, Cbr spoke to Brianne Tju about portraying Shay and her connection to the novel on which the movie is based. She also spoke about creating chemistry with co-star Joey King, who plays Tally. Plus, she delves into why the title of the movie may be confusing to viewers as they learn the message that Uglies is trying to convey.

Cbr: Were you familiar with Scott Westerfield's book Uglies before being cast as Shay? Or was there another aspect of Shay that got you excited to play the role?...

Joey King and Brianne Tju Talk “Uglies” Fresh from the success of Netflix’s “A Family Affair,” Joey King returns to the streaming giant to star in the new dystopian drama “Uglies.” Based on the novel by Scott Westerfield, King stars as Tally Youngblood, an ugly who seeks out to find the truth behind perfection. You

The post “Uglies” Cast Talks New Dystopia Drama appeared first on Manny the Movie Guy.

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Joey King and Brianne Tju are the talented and very non-ugly stars of Uglies, the new Netflix movie based on a YA classic. They spoke with MovieWeb's Richard Fink about the long production of their new film and its deep topical connection to today's issues of choice and bodily autonomy.

Based on Scott Westerfield's 2005 YA dystopian novel, Uglies is set in a futuristic dystopia with enforced beauty standards, where a teen awaiting mandatory cosmetic surgery embarks on a journey to find her missing friend. Uglies hits Netflix on Sep. 13, 2024.

A new week is here and with it comes a few new movies and shows to Netflix. The new additions this week include a new season of a Netflix original, a new movie based on a book series, and a new season of a Netflix reality show.

First up this week is Emily in Paris season 4 part 2! The second half of the latest season starts streaming on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024 and will pick up where the first half left off. Emily seems to have her life figured out, and she's even chosen a dude, but everyone else in her life is not fairing so well. But there is still drama in store for Emily. What would the show be like without it??

Take a peek at the trailer here:

Next up this week is Uglies! The movie is based on the popular book series of the same name by Scott Westerfield...

Sometimes, trying to find movies that work for the whole family is difficult. They’re either too graphic or scary for the younger members of the family, or they’re too kiddy-ish for the teenagers. Netflix is bringing some great family movies throughout September 2024, though.

There is a mixture of animated and live action throughout the month. There are older and newer movies to check out, so there’s no need for kids to say “we’ve already watched this one” to get out of family movie night.

Here are the top picks of family movies throughout September 2024. And yes, some of the releases have happened today, Sunday, Sept. 1!

Sonic the Hedgehog

Yes, we start with the 2020 movie Sonic the Hedgehog. This is one that we weren’t sure what to think of going into it. Maybe having lower expectations helped it succeed so much.

Sonic finds himself in the human world,...

2005's Uglies book rose to fame in YA circles and secured a movie deal that began production the next year. Despite lengthy delays, Netflix has finally announced a release date. Uglies is a sci-fi movie based on Scott Westerfield's novel of the same name. It follows a dark story about Tally Youngblood, whose society enforces plastic surgery on its residents at the age of 16. Tally is on the verge of her 16th birthday when she sets out to find her friend who has run away. As far as bleak-featured dystopian movies go, it's a creative premise.

When Uglies was first published in the early 2000s, it came along with an onslaught of young adult dystopian books. It was right on the heels of Harry Potter and came just before Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games series. So, it was no surprise that Uglies earned a movie deal right off the bat.

"Ugly" is a term used for children aged 12-16 in a world where subjects are obsessed with their flaws and desire a cosmetic operation. The Uglies book series follows the protagonist Tally Youngblood as she navigates a world divided into Uglies, Pretties, and Specials. The Netflix adaptation of Uglies has a star-studded cast including Joey King and Laverne Cox, bringing Scott Westerfeld's dystopian universe to life.

Netflix's new movie Uglies is based on the critically acclaimed and widely popular young adult sci-fi novel by Scott Westerfeld, but those who haven't read the books might wonder why characters are referred to as "ugly." Uglies is the first book in what was originally a trilogy but has since expanded into a larger series that connects to one of Scott Westerfeld's other series, Impostors. Uglies has been a long time comingNetflix's Uglies movie adaptation has taken years to release, with production for...

Need yet another YA adaptation set in a post-apocalyptic dystopian future, à la “The Hunger Games,” “Divergent,” “The Maze Runner,” etc.? Not to worry, Netflix has that covered next month with McG‘s “Uglies,” the director’s latest project for the streamer.

Read More: Netflix 2024 Film Slate Includes Jerry Seinfeld’s ‘Pop Tarts,’ New JLo, Lee Daniels, Mark Wahlberg Movies & More

Based on the first book of Scott Westerfield‘s series of the same name, “Uglies” is set in a future that imposes cosmetic surgery on its teenage citizens before they’re allowed to enter civic society.

Continue reading ‘Uglies’ Trailer: McG Adapts A YA Future Dystopia For Netflix On September 13 at The Playlist.

Netflix has released the official trailer, poster, and photos for Uglies, which will be available on the streaming service on September 13, 2024. The film is based on the book by Scott Westerfield.

In a futuristic world that imposes cosmetic surgery at 16, Tally is eager for her turn to join the rest of society. But when a friend runs away, Tally embarks on a journey to save her that upends everything she thought she wanted.

A special media-tie-in paperback of the first book in Scott Westerfeld’s New York Times bestselling and award-winning Uglies series will be available on September 17, 2024, as well as a special edition audiobook, performed by Brianne Tju, one of the stars of the upcoming movie.

Directed by McG, the movie stars Joey King, Keith Powers, Chase Stokes, Brianne Tju, Jan Luis Castellanos, Charmin Lee, and Laverne Cox.

Jacob Forman, Vanessa Taylor, and Whit Anderson wrote the screenplay. The producers include John Davis,...

Joey King stars in Netflix's A Family Affair, continuing her streak of poorly reviewed Netflix films after the Kissing Booth trilogy. Despite negative reviews, A Family Affair became the number-one movie on Netflix. Critics find the film predictable but praise the cast's performances, highlighting a divide in opinions.

Joey King stars in the hit Netflix film A Family Affair, and despite its popularity on the streaming service, it also adds to one of the actress' most discouraging trends. The 2024 rom-com, directed by Richard Lagravenese and written by Carrie Solomon, chronicles the complications that arise when King's character, Zara, finds her mother, Brooke, played by Nicole Kidman, hooking up with her nightmare of a boss, Chris, played by Zac Efron. Chris is a self-absorbed movie star, and Zara is his young assistant who is waiting for Chris to promote her. However, Brooke uncovers a different side to Chris.

Joey King...

Logan Lerman will star alongside Joey King in Hulu’s developing limited series “We Were the Lucky Ones,” based on Georgia Hunter’s best-selling novel, TheWrap has learned.

Lerman will portray Addy, a Polish and Jewish 25-year-old who lives in Paris as an engineer, but who also builds his musical composing career. Addy is the middle child in his family, and he is able to mediate conflict between people with differences. He is also very handy. The character of Addy is inspired by the story of Georgia Hunter’s grandfather as a young man in the late 1930’s.

The logline for the series reads: “Inspired by the incredible true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of World War II, determined to survive—and to reunite. Based on the New York Times Bestseller, “We Were the Lucky Ones” is a tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds.

Deadline caught up with actress Joey King at the premiere of the David Leitch’s new action-thriller Bullet Train.

When asked about working on Netflix’s Uglies on the red carpet, King stated, “It was very exciting for me. The Uglies books meant a lot to me as a kid.” She continues, “Being able to make that and be the lead of those movies and also have so much fun while doing it–what a dream realized! I was 11-years-old when I feel in love with the books.”

Joey King describes working on ‘Uglies,’ YA bestseller adaption for Netflix, as a “dream realized” because she’s been a fan of the books since 11 pic.twitter.com/8jzdZbqnwf

— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) August 2, 2022

Uglies is based dystopian book trilogy written by Scott Westerfield set in a world in which a compulsory operation at 16 wipes out physical differences and makes everyone pretty by...