THE BEAUTY (2026) – A Bold, Unsettling Ride in a Twisted Modern Thriller

Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty is a spy thriller that breaks the mold and then stomps on the pieces. Known for pushing boundaries, Murphy brings his signature flair for the sensational, blending over-the-top gore with plot twists that dart off the beaten path. The show wastes no time, opening with a pulse-pounding chase through the streets of Paris—a sequence so gripping, you’ll find yourself clutching the armrest in suspense.

The plot follows two FBI agents, played with impeccable chemistry by Evan Peters and Rebecca Hall, as they unravel a chilling mystery: ordinary people across the city are succumbing to sudden, violent bouts of mania, culminating in their bodies literally exploding. The culprit? A sexually transmitted virus that transforms its victims into unnaturally beautiful versions of themselves—but with consequences that are as terrifying as they are irreversible.

The ensemble cast injects life and madness into Murphy’s wild world. Evan Peters, a staple in Murphy’s universe, delivers a nuanced performance, balancing a grounded presence with a wry, understated humor. The supporting cast is equally compelling. Ashton Kutcher surprises as a ruthless billionaire whose deepest vulnerability is his wife, portrayed with rare gravitas by Italian-American screen icon Isabella Rossellini—daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini, and thus, Hollywood royalty by birthright.

Anthony Ramos stands out as a one-eyed assassin. What begins as a seemingly hackneyed villain quickly evolves into a multidimensional character you can’t help but root for. In one especially memorable scene, he pays homage to Christopher Cross, coercing his captive into a spontaneous karaoke session of “Sailing” in the car, blending menace and absurdity in equal measure.

Across its eleven episodes, The Beauty keeps the tension high and the pacing tight, leaving viewers perpetually guessing. However, the series stumbles in its final chapters. The narrative loses its momentum, wandering into tangential side stories that feel like filler rather than essential developments. Most disappointing is the unsatisfying ending: instead of wrapping up the story, the show leaves us dangling on a cliffhanger that feels misplaced, as if it belonged several episodes earlier. With no resolution, fans are forced to wait at least another year for answers—a frustrating prospect in a TV landscape overflowing with options.

Ultimately, The Beauty is a series that dazzles early on with inventive ideas and powerful performances but falters by failing to deliver closure. What could have been a standout, long-lasting favorite risks being forgotten amid the endless churn of new content. It’s a wild ride worth taking—but don’t expect a satisfying destination.