The dystopian young adult genre had its heyday in the early 2010s, thanks to iconic blockbusters like The Hunger Games and Divergent. These films, based on best-selling book series, captured the imaginations of millions and dominated the box office. Now, nearly a decade later, Netflix’s adaptation of Uglies is trying to bring back that same excitement, with Joey King in the lead role.
Media outlets have even gone so far as to claim that Uglies could be the next Hunger Games. The audacity to position this film as a rival to The Hunger Games is, frankly, unbelievable. To Jennifer Lawrence and the legacy of The Hunger Games, we’re sorry you had to witness this.
Joey King’s Ambitious Comparison of The Hunger Games And Uglies
Joey King, the star and producer of Uglies, has been vocal about her passion for the Scott Westerfeld book series, which she first encountered when she was 11 years old. As King explained in a recent interview with Deadline.
I was 11 years old when I read these books, and they were so impactful to me at that age. They really helped carry me through my teen years.
In her interview with Deadline, she expressed how the movie’s timing has been linked to a resurgence of interest in YA dystopian stories.
It’s funny because everyone’s saying ‘Oh, this is really bringing back the dystopian YA world,’ and it’s kind of funny because the timing, it wasn’t necessarily intentionally bringing it back.Of course it was something that was very relevant at the time. The book is almost at its 20 year anniversary, which is absolutely unbelievable.
I love the world of the sci-fi, YA dystopian novel, and I think it’s just something that is a little bit nostalgic and special. The younger generation can hopefully appreciate it, and the people who have grown up with those other films can find the joy in like revisiting the genre.
She also shared her hope that Uglies could resonate with audiences, especially the younger generation, much like The Hunger Games did years ago. However, the reality is that Uglies and The Hunger Games exist in two very different leagues.
Moreover, as King mentions, Uglies is aimed at a younger audience, which may further explain its inability to capture the emotional and narrative depth that The Hunger Games so masterfully achieved.
The Hunger Games: An Untouchable Standard Even For Uglies
There can only be one Hunger Games! When Suzanne Collins released her now-iconic series, it sparked a global phenomenon, catapulting Jennifer Lawrence to superstardom and solidifying the franchise as a cultural touchstone. With its gripping plot, brutal social commentary, and unforgettable characters, The Hunger Games resonated deeply with audiences across age groups and continues to do so to this day.
It’s worth noting that when the Uglies book series was first released, there was already a rivalry between fans of the series and those of The Hunger Games. Even then, Uglies was considered the lesser-known sibling in the dystopian genre, overshadowed by the sheer power of The Hunger Games.
In the end, it’s unfair to both Joey King and Uglies to hold them to the impossible standard set by The Hunger Games. While King’s passion for the project is admirable, and while Uglies may indeed find its own audience, it’s not the next Hunger Games, and that’s completely fine.
Not every dystopian YA adaptation needs to compete with The Hunger Games to be successful, but to claim that Uglies is “bringing back” the dystopian YA genre in the same way that The Hunger Games did is a stretch too far.
