Beauty is pain, right? It’s a phrase many movies and shows have tried to turn into a deeper message, with perhaps the strongest contender being 2024’s “The Substance.” Shedding your own skin to become something more “beautiful” is prime material for the most twisted body horror, and it’s a concept that continues to horrify (and intrigue) me when done right. The latest project to tackle this idea is “The Beauty,” a new FX show from Ryan Murphy that revels in the consequences of physical obsession.
At a Glance: ‘The Beauty’
- The premise: A Ryan Murphy-helmed thriller where a sexually transmitted virus makes you physically perfect — before it kills you.
- The vibe: "The Substance" meets "The X-Files" with a heavy dose of high-fashion body horror.
- Starring: Evan Peters, Rebecca Hall, Ashton Kutcher and Bella Hadid.
- Watch if you like: Twisted sci-fi, "gnarly" practical effects and conspiracies.
- Skip if you: Are squeamish about needles/autopsies or watching with parents (expect lots of sex and gore).
