Joey King Defies a Futuristic Society's Mandatory Cosmetic Surgery in Uglies Trailer

Joey King is breaking beauty norms in the dystopian film Uglies.

Based on the 2005 young-adult novel by Scott Westerfeld, Uglies stars King as Tally, who lives in a "futuristic world that imposes a cosmetic surgery" for everyone upon turning 16 years old, per a synopsis.

"Tally is eager for her turn to join the rest of society. But when a friend runs away, Tally embarks on a journey to save her that upends everything she thought she wanted."

Directed by McG (Charlie's Angels), the movie also stars Keith Powers, Chase Stokes, Brianne Tju, Jan Luis Castellanos, Charmin Lee and Laverne Cox.

“What’s crazy is my excitement for the story has been at the same level since I was 11 years old,” King, now 25, told Netflix's Tudum in an interview. She added of the story's themes, "I think it is super relevant that we’re making this now."

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Author Westerfeld, also an executive producer, was heavily involved in the adaptation. McG told Tudum, "I spoke to Scott extensively about the book, and I wanted to make sure that we got it right. He was such a wonderful collaborator every step of the way. So we were lucky to have Scott on board."

Westerfeld added, "I was thinking, ‘Damn. This guy really cares about the book but also the world inside the book: all the little details that make a story feel specific and real.’ "

Uglies is on Netflix Sept. 13.