With The Beauty, Ryan Murphy introduces a new series that artfully blends science fiction, body horror, and social critique. The story envisions a society afflicted by a sexually transmitted infection that grants those who contract it an extraordinary beauty… before leading to their untimely demise in a violent eruption of flesh and blood. Beneath this extreme plotline, the series unveils, notably in its sixth episode, an unexpected queer and trans-affirmative narrative.

A Quick Comeback after a Misstep

Showing no intention of slowing down, Ryan Murphy makes a swift return to the limelight just months after the release of All’s Fair, a series that didn’t quite meet expectations. Gone is the presence of Kim Kardashian; in comes a darker, more radical project.

Based on the comics of the same name published by Glénat and available for streaming on Disney+, The Beauty is co-created with Matthew Hodgson. The duo had previously collaborated in the early 2000s on Nip/Tuck, a series about the pitfalls of cosmetic surgery.

Beneath its dystopian thriller façade, this new production explores similar themes: the obsession with youth, the quest for perfection, the pressure of beauty standards, and the constant need for validation in a society with restrictive norms. This exploration dovetails with ongoing discussions on LGBT representation in film and media, where bodies and identities are often filtered through normative expectations.

An Intimate Pause at the Heart of the Story

The series gains depth when it momentarily shifts focus away from its protagonist duo’s investigation to delve into the virus’s origin. The sixth episode, released on February 12, acts as a prequel.

Here, we learn that the STI originates from a lab-created virus that was never intended for release. An employee, however, discovers this scientific marvel significantly enhances physical appearance, leading him to steal two doses: one for himself, to escape his overwhelming loneliness, and the other for his friend Clara, a transgender woman.

Clara, the Core of a Trans-Affirmative Message

Clara is portrayed by trans actress Rev Yolanda. Facing the injection, her character initially expresses her fears:

“What if it goes wrong? (…) What if it turns me into a man? My hormones are all over the place. Estrogen and testosterone are at odds. I don’t know what’s happening to me. But I don’t care. I have to try…”

She continues:

“If I am the woman I know I am, that’s who I’ll become. For once in my life, if I’m offered the chance to be seen externally as I feel internally, I must take it.”

Following a painful transformation reminiscent of The Substance, Clara emerges in the form of a cisgender woman played by Lux Pascal, the trans sister of Pedro Pascal.

The revelation is significant: the virus doesn’t just bestow beauty. It externally manifests each person’s true inner identity. Through this twist, The Beauty delivers a clear message: gender transition is not a mere aesthetic choice but an intimate journey toward aligning internal identity with outer appearance.

To delve deeper into these identity issues and better understand the realities faced by those affected, explore our section dedicated to transgender and gender identity questions, which analyzes these topics from a societal and cultural perspective.

Amid its fantastic and excessive appearances, the series offers a trans-positive reflection on the quest for authenticity and the possibility of finally being seen as one truly knows themselves to be.