The Beauty’s Most and Least Sensical Transformations, Ranked

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This article contains spoilers for the season finale of The Beauty, titled “Beautiful Betrayal,” which premiered on Hulu and FX on March 5th.

The premise of the show The Beauty is that most people are deeply unhappy with their appearance. This leads to a complex storyline involving pharmaceutical companies, tech giants, and the government, all focused on how they’d convince people to get “the Beauty” – either through an expensive official treatment or by contracting a stolen version of the virus. The show features Rebecca Hall wanting to change her appearance, and Evan Peters as an FBI agent who seems to be the only one making sense. While The Beauty tries to make a point about society’s obsession with looks and self-image, it gets bogged down in absurdity, with over-the-top physical transformations. Think lots of strange fluids and a bit like a more adult version of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles origin story. However, the show is interesting because it portrays almost all its characters as fundamentally flawed, all feeling disconnected between how they see themselves inside and how they appear on the outside.

Now that we’ve established how we’re approaching this, we can rank the character transformations in The Beauty. It’s important to understand this isn’t about judging how the actors look, or even about typical ‘glow-ups’ from the comic book. Instead, we’re looking at whether each transformation fits the story, how strange the circumstances are, and if it enhances the overall message of the show. We considered things like how surprised we were by each change, how strongly we reacted, and whether it made us want to stop watching. We’ve only included characters with clear before-and-after transformations – so anyone who was already transformed isn’t on this list. (Sorry to those in the sex club, the employee who had a… dramatic ending, and a couple of teenagers from the later episodes.)

19.
Marcy

Marcy, played by Gachi Angeles before and Tessa Anderson after a key change, is the hotel maid who has a sexual encounter with Jeremy after he physically transforms. We see her briefly feeling unwell before the transformation, and later, at home, where Jeremy and assassin Antonio (Anthony Ramos) attempt to kill her to prevent the spread of a stolen virus. The scene quickly turns violent, with Jeremy attacking her – a disturbing act that reveals nothing new about his character and feels unnecessarily brutal.

18.
Conor

Conor is a deeply unsettling character: an employee of the Corporation who injects himself with the ‘Beauty’ treatment and then sells sexual encounters to spread the infection. Played by Ethan Eisenstein and Carson Rowland, he preys on young women, even those who are virgins. He represents how greed and the pursuit of physical perfection can corrupt anyone, highlighting the exploitative nature of the Corporation’s scheme. However, because he appears briefly and serves a very specific plot purpose, he doesn’t feel like a particularly significant character overall.

17.
Condé Nast Employees

The third episode, “Beautiful Criss Cross,” features a disturbing scene: an employee of Condé Nast unexpectedly succumbs to a sexually transmitted version of the “Beauty” disease, exploding in the company cafeteria. The episode follows the gruesome aftermath, showing how bodily fluids splatter onto other diners. Immediately afterward, everyone present is seized by Byron Forst’s Corporation and imprisoned in a secret facility for observation. The captives receive no explanation for their confinement, and are eventually killed by Forst’s security team to prevent the spread of the disease. While incredibly violent, the episode feels fitting given the villain’s disdain for the situation and the characters involved – who are portrayed as particularly irritating. Despite the brutality, the conditions of their imprisonment are arguably the worst of the entire season, making this a standout episode.

16.
Sir Ma’am

After Forst quickly releases the Beauty to the public, teenagers quickly begin using it – which isn’t surprising, given how self-conscious teens can be. However, this moment feels unnecessary to highlight that point. The scene shows influencer Sir Ma’am, played by Red Concepcion and later Sky Kawai, livestreaming a transformation that breaks the show’s established rules. It happens almost instantly, without the usual pulsing sac or messy aftermath. Sir Ma’am casually mentions a “sponsorship,” suggesting the transformation might have been deliberately altered to appeal to a wider audience. But given all the other marketing focused on the shot itself, this glimpse of influencer promotion feels redundant.

15.
Jordan

I can’t believe this change was necessary. The scene itself is visually striking – it takes place in a lavish Venetian apartment filled with mirrors and gold, and Rebecca Hall’s performance is incredibly physical, recalling the intense possession scene in the Suspiria remake. It does connect the central mystery to the character’s inner struggles, which builds suspense. However, Jessica Alexander’s performance afterward doesn’t quite capture the same energy as Hall’s initial portrayal, creating a distance that prevents us from fully connecting with or understanding Jordan’s character.

14.
Ruthie

Ruthie is a deeply unlikeable character. Played by two different actresses, she’s a privileged teenager who complains that her expensive nose job—intended to make her look like Kendall Jenner and distance herself from her father—didn’t achieve the desired result. She then boasts about her parents funding the procedure. It’s frustrating to watch her! Like another character in the show, her storyline introduces complications to the established world of The Beauty. While it’s understandable that her experience at a clinic owned by a powerful corporation is luxurious, the show doesn’t explore whether it’s responsible for a minor to undergo such significant physical changes. The series also features a character who directly represents the transgender experience, but this entire storyline feels like an attempt to address gender-affirming care for teens without offering a clear perspective on the issue.

13.
Ruby

Bella Hadid tearing through Paris on a motorcycle, even having a standoff with the police – now that’s exciting! The new series starts with a bang as Ruby unexpectedly bursts into flames, immediately showing us how her story will end. It does leave you wondering if those who undergo this transformation gain special abilities, though the show doesn’t fully explain it. Also, how did Ruby survive that serious car crash? It’s a bit of a mystery, but it all makes for a compelling watch.

12.
Manny

The fourth episode, “Beautiful Chimp Face,” brings a much-needed dose of humor to the series thanks to Ben Platt’s over-the-top reaction as a Condé Nast employee who’s unexpectedly splattered with something and then forcibly quarantined by the CDC. Platt’s character, Manny, is both repulsed and strangely fascinated by the changes to his friend, creating a funny contrast. The show could benefit from leaning into this kind of silliness more often. However, the episode also features a truly disturbing chase scene through a lab filled with preserved body parts – including faces intended for reconstructive surgery – which feels unnecessarily graphic. While The Beauty explores the desire for self-improvement through cosmetic procedures, linking this to actual scientific research feels strange and doesn’t quite work.

11.
Mike

Mike is a kind and reliable employee of Dr. Ray Lee, the scientist who created “The Beauty” and presented it to a group of wealthy investors, including Byron Forst. He’s a supportive friend to his transgender coworker, Clara, but struggles with dating. The show tends to be more understanding of men who feel insecure about their appearance, and Mike’s ordinary life feels particularly sad when his workplace crush rejects him. However, it’s exciting when he steals two vials of the Beauty from his employer, and heartwarming that he saves one for Clara. Sadly, Antonio kills the transformed Mike in the first episode, and we only learn about who Mike was before the transformation later in the season. It would have been great to see more of Mike and Clara enjoying their new attractiveness together and how that impacted their friendship.

10.
Assorted Billionaires

A group of incredibly wealthy individuals – representing industries like cryptocurrency, oil, banking, and retail – succumb to their greed and are ultimately killed for it. The story begins with Dr. Lee pitching his revolutionary ‘Beauty’ treatment to the world’s five richest people, including Byron Forst, to gain funding. They agree, and undergo a dramatic transformation in a visually stunning, mirrored room. However, Forst arrives armed and unexpectedly murders the other four billionaires, intending to monopolize the Beauty treatment. The scene is shockingly violent. Dr. Lee is left betrayed and forced into a partnership with Forst, a ruthless man, to ensure his invention sees the light of day. The poetic irony of the billionaires’ demise – brought about by their own avarice – makes this sequence particularly memorable.

9.
Byron Forst

It makes sense to place Forst alongside the billionaires he eliminates, as their transformations happen in strikingly similar ways – within mirrored rooms covered in repulsive substances. These transformations are filmed from unique angles, featuring unsettling visuals and flashing lights, making them truly unforgettable. While the actors portraying the billionaires appear briefly, Vincent D’Onofrio dominates the first half of the season, giving his character a compelling depth. He excels at portraying a man who is world-weary, drained, and completely apathetic, even fleeting pleasures failing to satisfy him. However, Ashton Kutcher’s performance doesn’t quite measure up, similar to Jessica Alexander when compared to Rebecca Hall. When Kutcher attempts to imitate D’Onofrio’s menacing tone and pace, it feels forced and unnatural. His strongest moment comes when he first sees his transformed reflection, and combined with D’Onofrio’s consistently excellent work, it earns Forst this ranking.

8.
Antonio

We only see assassin Antonio, played by Teddy Cañez, for a short time before his transformation. We don’t actually see that transformation happen. But the moment after, when he’s presented like a naked Terminator on a pedestal while Forst looks on with pride – that’s genuinely funny. Anthony Ramos clearly loves playing this role, and I especially like his eyepatch.

7.
Clara

Clara is simply a woman, first portrayed by Rev Yolanda and later by Lux Pascal. The play The Beauty reminds us of this basic truth.

6.
The Williams Family

I initially wondered why such a talented actor like John Carroll Lynch was cast in this show, but the seventh episode, “Beautiful Living Rooms,” revealed the reason: a story like this needs an actor of his skill to make it believable. Lynch plays Meyer Williams, an FBI supervisor whose teenage daughter, Joey, has progeria, a rare disease that causes children to age rapidly. Kaylee Halko and Augusta Liv both portray Joey, who, at 15, is nearing the end of her life. Her condition has deeply fractured her parents’ marriage, with Meyer and his wife, Juliana (played by Kelli O’Hara), each blaming the other for Joey’s illness. It’s heartbreaking to watch them struggle with something they can’t change. This storyline is compelling and explains why they would compromise their values to save their daughter and their relationship. The show could have explored the perspectives of those seeking the ‘Beauty’ as a medical treatment in more detail, as the Williams family offers a powerful example of why someone might do anything to save a loved one.

5.
Franny Forst

Let’s talk about Isabella Rossellini – she’s incredible on this show, but why is such a legendary actress here? The answer is simple: she perfectly embodies a character who is sharp-tongued, captivating, and effortlessly dominant. She can wear anything, stands firm in her beliefs, and completely outshines everyone around her without even trying. As Franny, Byron’s wife, Rossellini plays a cold woman who’d rather destroy valuable art than endure a meal with her husband. Unlike almost everyone else, Franny doesn’t care about the pursuit of eternal youth, making it especially painful when her sons, Gunther and Tig, secretly inject her with it. The look on Rossellini’s face when Franny realizes what they’ve done – after years of putting up with their foolishness – is heartbreaking. Nicola Peltz Beckham doesn’t quite match Rossellini’s acting talent, but her angry speech about Byron and her sons stealing her youth and body, while wearing a costume inspired by Rossellini’s iconic look from Death Becomes Her, is a standout moment. Her line, “I feel like a prisoner,” delivered right before she attempts suicide with a shard of glass, is arguably the series’ most shocking and memorable death scene.

4.
Bella

The way Ruthie’s friend Bella (played by Emma Halleen) transforms into a frightening monster after losing her virginity to Conor feels somewhat familiar, reminiscent of the movie The Substance. However, the scene is brilliantly executed with classic horror elements: Bella violently shakes, sweats, and leaves a trail of slime and blood for her mother to discover. She’s then found hiding in the closet, grotesquely transformed with teeth growing in unexpected places and blood spurting everywhere. While Bella’s extreme reaction provides a shocking scare and highlights the unpredictable nature of the virus, it feels a bit contrived that this single incident would cause Byron to halt the entire Beauty project, especially considering Bella later develops even more disturbing conditions like “multivaginal displacement” and “cranial-facial-breast fusion.” If the show gets a second season, though, Bella establishes a new low point, showing just how terrible things can become.

3.
Jeremy

The show clearly shows that The Beauty feels sorry for lonely men, and Jeremy is a prime example. Before his transformation, played by Jaquel Spivey, he’s a frustrated and isolated man who spends most of his time alone, mistreating his mother, and violently lashing out at the staff of his plastic surgeon after failing to achieve his desired appearance. He wants to look like a highly stylized version of Squidward. After his transformation, portrayed by Jeremy Pope, he eagerly becomes an assassin, working with Antonio, driven by a desire to kill while looking good and receiving attention from many women. Jeremy’s storyline is the show’s most blunt, but Jeremy Pope’s performance is captivating, representing everything that’s problematic with online masculinity. His enjoyment of flexing in the mirror, accepting Antonio’s offer, and even considering Forst’s potential assassination reveals he craves violence as much as, if not more than, he craves intimacy. The image of Jeremy, covered in a strange substance, admiring his muscles in the mirror at the end of the first episode, perfectly encapsulates the series’ core themes.

2.
Cooper

So, Cooper has sex with Jordan to intentionally get infected with a virus called “The Beauty.” This virus is supposed to transform people into their ideal, most perfect selves. However, when Cooper transforms, something shocking happens – instead of a perfected adult, a young, prepubescent boy emerges. It’s a wildly unexpected and silly twist! Despite being disappointed to see the character Evan Peters go, I found the absurdity of Hudson Barry’s character hilarious and genuinely appreciated the sheer ridiculousness of the idea.

1.
Gunther and Tiger “Tig” Forst

Gunther and Tig are consistently shown to be foolish and privileged, repeatedly failing despite their wealth and somehow continuing to succeed. They perfectly illustrate the show’s theme that changing your appearance doesn’t change who you are inside. While the show sometimes uses shocking twists – like Gunther becoming Black due to a minor ancestral connection – the characters’ descent into deeper villainy is a strong point. Both Gunther and Tig start out bad, but their transformations only make them worse. Tig’s betrayal in the season finale, siding with an AI company to seize his father’s power after already harming his mother, is particularly striking. The show emphasizes how negative traits are passed down through generations, and it ends on a powerfully cynical note.

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2026-03-10 18:58