The first season of The Beauty is one of those things that knows exactly how wild and crazy it is and leans fully into it. Based on the comic by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, takes the bizarre yet fantastic premise of a sexually transmitted disease that makes you beautiful only to come with possibly horrifying consequences and turns it into a chaotic and surprisingly fun ride.
A sexually transmitted treatment known as “the Beauty” spreads rapidly, granting users physical attractiveness through aesthetic-based genetic makeup while concealing lethal side effects that begin to overtake their lives. As deaths and public panic escalate, an FBI investigation and competing interests converge on the forces behind the drug and the epidemic it sparks.
Coming from the comics to the television show, there are definitely differences. While the over plot is mostly similar, the source material had more of an edge and focused commentary on vanity and culture. The show, on the other hand, sometimes trades depth for visual spectacle. Not saying this is a bad thing, just something noticed from the first season. At times is disgustingly beautiful.
The slick, stylish visuals of the show shine, but miss the more grittiness of Haun’s artwork in the comics. However, this smoothness and shimmer of the first season makes the body horror hit even harder. It’s the type of television show that has you hooked but also grossed out at the same time.
The Beauty does have me struggling at times, especially where it features multiple locations and characters to follow. The bonus to this is that the show never really has dull moments, there is always a twist or reveal just around the corner allowing each episode to have you glued to the screen. The mystery surround “The Corporation” is always present and has you itching for more.
The first season of The Beauty was entertaining and had me glued to the screen to find out what happens. While the comic is one of my favorite series of all-time, the show loses some of the appeal. There is the heart of the story that moved from comic to tv, but it is not the perfect translation. While it doesn’t need to be perfect, it’s a great creative take on the outstanding source material. I am down for a second season if we were to get one.
The Beauty stars Evan Peters as Cooper Madsen, Anthony Ramos as the Assassin, Jeremy Pope as Jeremy, Rebecca Hall as Jordan Bennett, and Ashton Kutcher as Byron Forst / the Corporation.
The Beauty is available to stream on FX on Hulu.
