Books being made into movies is always slightly tricky since there is always a massive fanbase already connected to the novel series, which, understandably so, has high expectations regarding the storyline as well as the characters. Netflix has made the bold move of taking Scott Westerfeld’s 20-year-old novel series about a controversial topic and bringing it onto the screen. The opinions on the Netflix movie Uglies are split, but the YA adaptation has started a conversation about problematic beauty standards and the increase of cosmetic surgery in the younger generation, which would technically have the potential to make it one of the best movies on Netflix. An underlying issue specifically focused on in the Uglies movie is the use of social media and beauty filters, which feed into people’s insecurities and lead them to draw comparisons between themselves and others.
At the center of events in Uglies is the teenager Tally Youngblood, played by Joey King, most known for starring alongside Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman in The Perfect Couple and Brad Pitt in Bullet Train. Tally impatiently awaits the day of cosmetic surgery with her best friend, Peris. While the two have spent every day with each other since their arrival in Uglyville, the government’s dangerous surgeries break them apart. Brainwashed and used as a pawn, Peris is unrecognizable. When it comes down to a life or death situation, Tally is forced to save someone else, even if it means potentially ending the life of her best friend. But is Peris from Uglies actually dead?
What Happened to Peris in Uglies?
Peris and Tally’s friendship started off differently. Calling each other after their insecurities, Nose and Squint, respectively, they were looking forward to the day of their cosmetic surgery and starting their lavish life in Pretty Town. When Peris goes through the life-changing transformation three months before Tally, he is almost unrecognizable. It shows Tally that something is going very wrong, hinting at the underlying message in Uglies. Used as an obedient pawn by one of the government officials, Dr. Cable, the brainwashed Peris exploits his connection with Tally to crush an uprising of a rebellious movement, The Smoke.
When the time comes for Tally and Peris to face each other amid a battle, Tally remembers their strong, emotional connection before Peris left the dormitory to undergo his transformation. She is set on breaking through the barricade the operation has built and bringing the real Peris back to the surface. Tally is aware that Peris would never have hurt a soul or even gone as far as to kill someone, which is why he is such an interesting character to explore even more. However, when his hand reaches out for her face, David is triggered as it reminds him of how Peris murdered his father, so he went right in for the attack.
Ultimately, Tally pushes Peris over the edge of a tall building to save David’s life. Mere moments before he falls to his death, Peris looks up at Tally and calls her Squint. Using the nickname he called her before he was turned into a Pretty hints that Tally managed to break through to him and that there still is a part of him that hasn’t been brainwashed. It is a sign to Tally that there is hope to get his old self back, which simultaneously makes his death even more tragic and heartbreaking. The high fall could have easily been the end of Peris, but is it really?
Does Peris Return in the Uglies Book Series?
Peris is an important character in both the Uglies book series and the big Netflix original Uglies. However, there is a fundamental incident that sets up two different journeys for Peris. He does get turned into a Pretty on paper as well as on screen, but the author of the novel let him stay a Pretty and explored his development in that setting. As for the first book, Uglies, on which the Netflix movie is based, Peris simply explored the new lifestyle in Pretty Town and stayed there for the rest of the novel.
Without giving too much away, in the second and third books of the series, Pretties and Specials, Tally and Peris actually find their way back to each other, and Peris remains a steady character. Clearly, the movie chose a different and arguably more important path for him. Peris doesn’t just enjoy his life as a Pretty, but he is convinced by one of the government officials, Dr. Cable, to undergo additional surgery in order to become a so-called Special instead. But what is a Special?
Is Peris From Netflix’s Uglies Actually Dead?
As mentioned above, in Uglies, the divisive YA book-to-movie adaptation, Peris is convinced to undergo surgery again and become a Special. Longing for any kind of recognition, whether for his appearance or deeds, Peris agrees to the transformation. What he doesn’t know, however, is that Specials are not just a simple “upgrade” regarding their looks. Instead, they could be much rather considered as superhumans. They are much stronger and faster than normal humans and incredibly resistant to any injury. On top of their incredible physical abilities, they are brainwashed into being extremely obedient, following Cable’s every order.
As for Peris’ death, the question of whether he is really gone is certainly a valid question that arises, and the answer might be straightforward. Apart from his reappearance in the YA novel series, everything also points towards Peris’ return in the Netflix Top 10 movie. Peris clearly fell from the building, but considering that, as a Special, his body is incredibly advanced, there is a high chance that he survived the fall or managed to land somewhere safely. The movie shows that Specials can jump from incredible heights, and on top of that, it is almost impossible to injure them to a point that is fatal.
Additionally, Chase Stokes talks about returning for an Uglies sequel, which shows that he is far from being done with portraying his character and has much more to add to the Uglies universe. That being said, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the genetically advanced Peris survived the fall and turned Tally’s world upside down once again. Whether it is in the form of Peris turning into the ultimate supervillain, Tally trying everything to bring back the old Nose, or maybe even a potential love triangle between Tally, Peris, and David, Peris’ likely return would surely add a valuable part to keeping the story moving. It remains to be seen if Netflix will return with the Uglies sequel, Pretties, and whether Chase Stokes’ Peris will return as one of the characters, though, if we had to guess, we believe he will. Uglies is available to stream on Netflix.
