PERFECTION IS AN ILLUSION.

In the future, teenagers are kept separate from the rest of the population until they turn 16 and receive a full-body cosmetic surgery; 15-year-old Tally (Joey King) finds reason to doubt this promise of happiness.

A shiny, superficially engaging adaptation of a young-adult novel that asks us to question beauty ideals and authoritarianism while also offering a sci-fi adventure where young Tally is torn between two guys.

Uneven visual effects and a largely bland cast keep this from being a must-see franchise-starter.

2024-U.S. VOD. 102 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by McG. Novel: Scott Westerfeld. Cast: Joey King (Tally Youngblood), Keith Powers (David), Chase Stokes (Peris), Brianne Tju, Laverne Cox, Charmie Lee. 

Trivia: Co-produced by King; co-executive produced by McG.