Ryan Murphy returns with “The Beauty,” a provocative series that examines the dangerous consequences of society’s relentless pursuit of physical perfection. Set in Europe, the show follows FBI agents Jordan Bennett and Cooper Madsen, portrayed by Rebecca Hall and Evan Peters, as they investigate an outbreak caused by a cosmetic enhancement called the Beauty. This innovation, created by Ashton Kutcher’s character—the ruthless tech billionaire known only as the Corporation—transforms people deemed unattractive into stunning versions of themselves, but it also spreads a violent virus.
Cast Reflect on Society’s Increasing Obsession with Cosmetic Alterations
During a virtual press conference, Ashton Kutcher highlighted the mainstream acceptance of cosmetic surgery, emphasizing its risks and societal costs.
“We have this increasing demand for cosmetic surgery,”
Kutcher stated.
“And the question is: what are you willing to sacrifice for that? … What risks are you willing to take? And I think that that’s incredibly poignant.”
His comments spotlight the show’s tense exploration of humanity’s willingness to compromise health and identity in exchange for beauty.
Rebecca Hall praised Murphy’s timely storytelling approach that encourages viewers to reconsider how beauty is defined and commodified.
“Human beauty is a sort of conceptually complicated thing,”
she remarked,
“It’s not like nature. It’s not like looking at a sunrise or something that’s objective. It’s subjective. So the idea that you can pay for perfection and therefore you’re handing over your idea of it to someone who is taking your money and might want more of it is complicated.”
Exploring Complex Relationships Amidst a Crisis
Anthony Ramos, who embodies the Corporation’s henchman known as the Assassin, reflected on society’s harsh judgments based on appearance.
“It’s all a part of our culture in a big way, and I think that this show talks about that on a deep level,”
he pointed out, underscoring the series’ critical perspective on beauty standards.
The dynamic between Peters’ character Cooper and Hall’s Jordan is marked by unspoken tension and emotional restraint. Hall described their relationship as a façade where vulnerability is avoided.
“They both think that there’s nothing more to it, although it’s a complete lie, and they’re just refusing to be vulnerable with each other. And so there’s a lot of unspoken nonsense, and they should just get on with it,”
she joked. Peters agreed, noting the audience’s wish for the characters to admit deeper feelings.
“You’re kind of rooting for them, one of them to sort of speak up and say, ‘Well, wait a minute, I don’t want you to see other people, I just want to see you,’ you know?”
Another complicated pairing features the Assassin and Jeremy, played by Jeremy Pope, whose obsessed pursuit of physical enhancement reflects a darker side of the show. Ramos described their relationship as filling a mutual loneliness.
“I think that there’s a level of loneliness and a void that I think that Jeremy fills, you know, a hole in the Assassin’s soul or heart,”
he explained. Pope added,
“The Assassin has spent a lot of time alone. And I think the same for the character Jeremy, who, you know, is described as an incel, an involuntary celibate, who is looking for connection and affection. So I think in this moment he gets to meet someone who sees him and appreciates the weirdness that he is.”
The Multifaceted Villainy of the Corporation
Ashton Kutcher delved into his character’s disturbing rationale, drawing parallels to real-world extremism. He referenced the Unabomber’s writings to illuminate the villain’s mindset.
“I was reading Ted Kaczynski’s manifesto and, you know, you can follow his train of thought for a lot of it… And then you get to, like, Article 94, where he’s like, ‘And so I needed to kill a bunch of people’… No, you jumped the shark there… but, every so-called villain can rationalise their behaviour.”
This insight offers a chilling glimpse into the Corporation’s twisted justification for unleashing chaos through beauty and violence.
Evan Peters Welcomes a Change from Dark Roles
Having gained fame for portraying notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in Murphy’s “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” Peters expressed relief at playing a more grounded character in “The Beauty.” He shared the difficulty and appeal of being cast as someone ‘normal.’
When he pitched it to me, he said, ‘There’s going to be some great action sequences. And there’s a complicated romance with Jordan, played by Rebecca Hall’ … And he said he just wanted me to be normal. Just to try to be myself, which was difficult.”
On the series’ central mystery, Peters quipped with a mix of humor and urgency:
“I think first off is to figure out why people are exploding!”
His remark reflects the dark thriller aspect of the narrative, combining suspense with social critique.
The Beauty’s Premiere and What to Expect
Set against sweeping European backdrops, “The Beauty” combines elements of science fiction and thriller, probing the cultural obsession with appearances and the perilous cost of chasing unattainable ideals. The series is slated to debut on Disney+ on January 22, 2026, promising a gripping and unsettling look at beauty’s dark side through the performances of Evan Peters, Rebecca Hall, Ashton Kutcher, Anthony Ramos, and Jeremy Pope.
