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Uglies poster

Is Uglies OK for Kids?

Science FictionAdventureAction
13+
PG-13⭐ 4.7 / 102024 · 1h 40m
McG

Where to Watch

United States

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Streaming data by JustWatch

What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay
⏳

We're re-reading this screenplay with our upgraded analysis. Scene-by-scene moment counts aren't available for Uglies yet — the summaries below are from our earlier read-through. Check back soon.

🗡️Violence
Moderate▼
  • Armed soldiers raid and attack the rebel settlement with weapons
  • A character falls to their death during a confrontation
  • Action sequences with chasing, combat, and destruction of buildings
💬Language
Very Mild▼
  • Minimal profanity with occasional mild language
  • No sexual language or slurs noted in available script content
👻Scary Scenes
Mild▼
  • Dystopian society themes about forced conformity and loss of identity
  • Intense scenes of characters being captured and threatened
  • Death of a main character may be emotionally distressing
💕Romance
Mild▼
  • Romantic tension between Tally and two different male characters
  • Some kissing and romantic conversations
  • No nudity or sexual content shown
🍺Substances
None▼
  • No alcohol, drugs, or substance use depicted in available script content
⚡Stimulation
Mild▼
  • Fast-paced action sequences with hoverboard chases and raids
  • Sudden loud sounds during attack scenes
  • Visually intense futuristic city and technology sequences
Uglies — Heads Up for Parents

Despite the PG-13 rating, the central premise about mandatory surgery to fix perceived ugliness could be triggering for teens struggling with body image issues.

About Uglies

Uglies is a dystopian sci-fi film about a future society where everyone undergoes mandatory cosmetic surgery at 16 to become "Pretty" and eliminate conflict based on appearance. When teenager Tally's best friend disappears to join rebels called The Smoke, she must choose between conformity and freedom.

👨‍👧
Best watched together
The body image themes and dystopian concepts benefit from discussion to help teens process the messaging about beauty standards.

Family Takeaways from Uglies

What it gets right

  • ✓Explores themes of self-acceptance and questioning beauty standards imposed by society
  • ✓Shows the importance of individual choice and thinking critically about authority
  • ✓Features a strong female protagonist who grows from following rules to making her own decisions

Uglies Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Values & Themes
●LGBTQ themes

The film includes Peris as a gay character whose relationship with his boyfriend David is shown on screen. This represents clear LGBTQ representation that parents would notice.

Community Notes

  • Some parents may be concerned about the film's potential impact on teens with body dysmorphia or eating disorders
  • The premise of mandatory surgery to achieve beauty standards could be seen as reinforcing or critiquing current social media culture
Cast:Joey KingBrianne TjuKeith PowersChase StokesLaverne Cox

Is Uglies Appropriate for Your Child's Age?

✗Age 5: Not recommended for 5-year-olds
✗Age 8: Not recommended for 8-year-olds
✗Age 10: Not recommended for 10-year-olds
✗Age 12: Not recommended for 12-year-olds
✓Age 13: Generally appropriate for 13-year-olds
✓Age 15: Generally appropriate for 15-year-olds
✓Age 17: Generally appropriate for 17-year-olds

Individual children may vary — use your judgment.

Parents also ask about Uglies

  • Is Uglies appropriate for a 13-year-old?
  • Does Uglies have violence?
  • Is Uglies OK for kids?
  • What is the age rating for Uglies?

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