FX’s THE BEAUTY is a new horror series from Ryan Murphy & Matthew Hodgson coming to Hulu and FX on Hulu. This one is straight-up body horror, and one of the very best productions ever from Ryan Murphy. It’s an important and obvious commentary on our fixation with age and beauty. Read our full FX’s The Beauty season 1 review here!
FX’s THE BEAUTY is a new creation from Ryan Murphy & Matthew Hodgson. The horror sci-fi mystery series is coming to Hulu and FX on Hulu. However, it is not for anyone with a weak stomach. This is body horror in the most physical sense. Of course, the results are beautiful, but the path there is messy.
Yes, much like an actual birth, which is essentially what it’s all about; People being reborn as the ideal (most beautiful) version of themselves. Well, ideally, because this is horror, so not everything goes according to plan. It’s a very character-driven story despite the sci-fi and body-horror elements, so you’re in for quite a treat. The season has 11 episodes, and I cannot wait for season 2.
Continue reading our season 1 review of FX’s The Beauty below. Start watching on FX on Hulu on January 21, 2026. International viewers can watch on Disney+ from January 22, 2026.
It opens with a bang… truly!
The opening scene of FX’s The Beauty is as action-fueled as it is brutal. It’s a scene featuring an international supermodel (Bella Hadid) dying in a very ummm explosive way. As we soon learn, she’s far from the first and won’t be the last. That’s why two FBI agents are tasked with finding out what’s going on.
Soon, the FBI Agents “Cooper Madsen” (Evan Peters) and “Jordan Bennett” (Rebecca Hall) will uncover the origin, along with the conspiracy to keep it a secret. Finally, this beauty shot could very well threaten the future of humanity. Their investigation will reveal who’s at the center of the conspiracy: “The Corporation” (Ashton Kutcher), who is the wealthiest man on the planet.
Obviously, this means he owns someone at every level of government, in any country. And if he doesn’t, he soon will.
As the FBI agents dive into this case, they learn that it’s now functioning like a sexually transmitted virus. Not unlike HIV. However, this virus transforms ordinary people into the very best versions of themselves. This means physical perfection in terms of beauty, but also health. Whatever ailment you have, this virus will make it go away.
There is just one terrifying consequence. And it’s one you’ll get to know in that already mentioned opening scene.
One Shot Makes You Hot
Unlike what we saw in Shell, where a drug was administered and appeared to change people’s confidence more than their appearance, The Beauty is a shot that will physically change you. It’s a painful and wild ride to get there, but with the rebirth comes a brand new you. You will be younger, stronger, and absolutely gorgeous.
Well, if it works as intended, of course.
This is also why any character who gets the virus – whether transmitted from another person or via “the beauty shot – is portrayed by two actors. One is the “old” version and the other is the new-and-improved version. Nevermind that the original actor is already gorgeous. Everyone can improve, which is sort of the point. When is anyone happy? We can all be improved as younger or stronger versions.
Usually, in the case of this drug, that means getting a six-pack or perfect breasts.
WANT MORE BODY HORROR?
Also, they are living on borrowed time, as they will need help if they’re to avoid that pesky and explosive “side effect”. Actually, many are also living on borrowed time for another reason: Ashton Kutcher’s character is trying to ensure the exclusivity of his miracle drug. This means anyone who gets in the way of that will be hunted down by “The Assassin” (Anthony Ramos).
Overall, FX’s The Beauty is full of amazing talent. Many actors are familiar, while a few of them are also newcomers. For me, “Jeremy” (played by first Jaquel Spivey, then Jeremy Pope) was perhaps the most intriguing character. At first, he is an outsider who is told that he is an incel. Later, he finds himself being lusted after by everyone and also caught up in crazy chaos.
Other actors you can look forward to in FX’s The Beauty are the iconic Isabella Rossellini, who has some of the best lines, Ben Platt, Jessica Alexander (Primate), and Vincent D’Onofrio.
Watch season 1 of FX’s The Beauty on Hulu and Disney+
FX’s The Beauty was created and written by Ryan Murphy & Matthew Hodgson. It was based on the comic book series written by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, who serves as a consultant. Directors on the 11 episodes are Michael Uppendahl (Candy, Ratched), Alexis Martin Woodall (Grotesquerie), Crystal Roberson Dorsey (The Gilded Age), and Ryan Murphy himself.
Ryan Murphy & Matthew Hodgson also executive-produced alongside actors Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, and Jeremy Pope. Also executive producing are Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, Nissa Diederich, Michael Uppendahl, Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Gitter, Peter Schwerin, and Jeremy Haun.
DO CHECK OUT
Another very dark Ryan Murphy series, that ended on a rather wild note >
If you’re familiar with Ryan Murphy’s creations, such as Monster, American Horror Story & American Horror Stories, Ratched, or most recently Grotesquerie, then you know to expect something kitsch and campy. And yet, it’s usually also very dark. Often showcasing the worst side of human nature.
With FX’s The Beauty, it’s all about asking the question: How far would you go to attain beauty?!
In the real world, there’s already a shot, a pill, or a surgery for most physical issues, but where the drug in this story stands out is in terms of health. Imagine sick children being healed instantly. Or a cancer-ridden relative being cured. Not just for now, but forever?! Though, of course, there is the issue. As mentioned, this drug comes with side effects that most would not find acceptable for good health.
For beauty, however, a lot of people would absolutely go after this. I find that fascinating, and I loved that within the story of The Beauty, we are constantly confronted with the hypocrisy of human beings. Having watched all 11 episodes for this review, I am really hoping for a season 2. I think many people will want this, though it may not happen, as the season can stand on its own.
FX’s The Beauty premieres with its first 3 episodes on Hulu/Disney+ on January 21, 2026.
Details
Creators: Ryan Murphy & Matthew Hodgson
Directors: Ryan Murphy, Alexis Martin Woodall, Michael Uppendahl, Crystle Roberson
Cast: Evan Peters, Rebecca Hall, Ashton Kutcher, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Bella Hadid, Isabella Rossellini, Ben Platt, Jessica Alexander, Vincent D’Onofrio
Plot
In FX’s The Beauty, when international supermodels begin dying in gruesome and mysterious ways, FBI Agents “Cooper Madsen” (Evan Peters) and “Jordan Bennett” (Rebecca Hall) uncover a conspiracy that threatens the future of humanity. The investigation leads them directly into the crosshairs of “The Corporation” (Ashton Kutcher), who will stop at nothing to protect his trillion-dollar empire.
📺 Watch trailer
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