Yahoo News Uglies ending makes a big change to original story
*Spoilers alert*
Uglies has recently landed on Netflix, a new dystopian film based on the 2005 novel of the same name by Scott Westerfield. The movie follows Tally Youngblood (Joey King), a 15-year-old student eagerly awaiting her 16th birthday, as it means she can finally undergo cosmetic surgery to become a 'Pretty' and move to the City. Tally's friend Peris, who is a few months older than her has already undergone the operation, and King's character is desperate to be reunited with her friend.
However, just before her procedure, Tally discovers a dark secret, learning that the operation also adds lesions to people's brains to "dull" them so the government can control the population.
While the dystopian thriller largely follows the same plot as the book, there are some changes specifically for the movie adaptation. Here, we explain the ending of Uglies, and point out the key adjustments that have been made.
Uglies ending explained
Like in the book, Tally is sent on a mission by Dr Cable (Laverne Cox) to locate 'The Smoke' and uncover the weapon they're developing to destroy the City. Dr Cable threatens that if Tally fails, she won't be able to have her operation to become a 'Pretty.'
While at first compliant, Tally soon finds out from David's parents Az and Maddy - like we said - that the procedure is not all it seems, and is really a ploy to make the patients complaint. In retaliation, she throws the locket Dr Cable gave her into a fire. But rather than destroying it, Tally's actions activate the jewellery.
What follows is Tally being confronted by an army of Specials who are modified Pretties - all of whom are designed to be strong and quick. Now, here's the twist. Deviating away from the book, Tally's friend Peris belongs to the Specials, and turns up as part of the army.
In another book change, while Tally and David hide from Dr Cable, she forces Peris to kill Az in the hopes that Maddy will give up David's hiding place and reveal her research into finding a cure for the lesions. (Fans of the book will know that Az dies differently in the novel, succumbing to an experimental brain surgery performed by Dr Cable in an attempt to alter his memories.)
Tally and David then decide to try and rescue the Specials, along with those who have yet to receive the surgery. This includes David's mother and Tally's friend Shay, the latter of whom sadly doesn't get saved before the operation.
This leads to the pair getting caught by Dr Cable, but they are soon saved when a helicopter shows up to help them destroy the lab. Just before they leave, Maddy gets hold of the nanosynth that is needed to reverse the lesions.
Upon escaping, Maddy announces she needs a volunteer to test out the cure. Tally willingly offers, bravely stating that she'll be her test subject in the hopes that Maddy can successfully change her back.
Following both surgeries, the film ends with Tally in her new apartment having been changed into a Pretty. But, it looks like Maddy's procedure worked, as the camera cuts to Tally looking at her childhood scar, confirming to viewers that she remembers her previous life, and is fully in control of her mind.
Uglies is now streaming on Netflix.
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