‘The Beauty FX’ Review: Rogue Models, Body Horror, and Ryan Murphy’s Chilling Social Commentary

Ryan Murphy, often described as “the most powerful man” in modern television, returns with The Beauty FX after the disappointing reception of his previous project, All’s Fair, which received a zero rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The new series delivers exactly what fans desire: a “so-bad-it-was-bad” thrill, while proving Murphy still knows how to craft compelling stories. The show combines elements reminiscent of The People v. O.J. Simpson, Feud, and The Assassination of Gianni Versace, breathing life into an American anthology format with iconic actors like Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange. “Warning: Spoilers ahead!”

Unapologetic Gore and Body Horror

The Beauty FX is an eleven-part body horror series based on the comic by Jeremy Haun and Jason A Hurley. The story follows two FBI agents investigating a bizarre STD that makes infected individuals astonishingly beautiful before killing them in gruesome ways. The show satirizes unrealistic beauty standards and the obsession with aesthetic perfection, also referred to as Ozempic culture.

Bella Hadid Stars as a Rogue Model

The series opens with Bella Hadid, playing ‘Ruby,’ wreaking havoc at a catwalk show. She punches paparazzi unconscious and attacks restaurants while searching for water, becoming the first case in the epidemic of exploding supermodels. Newspaper headlines read “Catwalk Carnage!” as the outbreak spreads, leaving charred ribcages and panicked crowds.

Social Commentary on Western Beauty Standards

FBI agents Jordan Bennett (Rebecca Hall) and Cooper Madsen (Evan Peters) navigate the chaos while balancing a secret romantic relationship. Jordan recently got breast implants, highlighting the societal pressures of beauty standards. Another character, Jeremy, a socially isolated man, receives advice from a plastic surgeon: “You are an incel, Jeremy. I can make you a Chad.” These moments reinforce Murphy’s critique of societal obsession with appearance and status.

The Virus and Chaotic Spread

The deadly beauty virus is engineered to make America “aesthetically great,” but the chaos quickly spirals out of control. Ashton Kutcher stars as tech billionaire Byron Forst, with Anthony Ramos playing an enforcer attempting to manage the virus’s fallout. The storyline merges horror with biting social commentary, showing the absurdity and danger of beauty-obsessed culture.

Notable Performances to Watch

Isabella Rossellini plays Franny Frost, providing a standout performance alongside Ashton Kutcher. The interplay between characters, combined with the gory visuals and social satire, makes The Beauty FX one of Murphy’s most bingeable and engaging works.