‘The Beauty’ Finale Delivers Gore, Horror, and a Commentary on Beauty Standards

By Lila Roberts, Entertainment Editor

March 5, 2026

FX’s science fiction body horror series, “The Beauty,” concluded its first season with a finale that blended gore, humor, social commentary, and performances from a star-studded cast including Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Rebecca Hall, and Ashton Kutcher. The finale, which aired on Wednesday, March 5, 2026, explored the dark side of a superdrug promising effortless beauty and the consequences of chasing unattainable perfection.

A Cautionary Tale of Perfection

The series centers around “The Beauty,” a treatment that grants users physical attractiveness through genetic manipulation, but conceals lethal side effects. The season finale shifted focus to Bella (Emma Halleen), a high school student who becomes captivated by the drug after witnessing its transformative effects on her friend. Despite her parents’ refusal and financial constraints, Bella seeks out an alternative method of obtaining The Beauty – through a sexually transmitted dose.

The Horrifying Transformation

Bella’s experience serves as a stark warning against the pursuit of superficial beauty. Director Michael Uppendahl emphasized the importance of visually depicting the full extent of Bella’s horrifying transformation, utilizing a practical suit created by special effects makeup designer David Presto and his team. The team ensured Halleen wore the suit, keeping her hidden from her on-screen mother, Maria Dizzia, until the reveal of the monstrous result. Uppendahl explained that the goal was to create a scene that was both awful and wonderful, highlighting the devastating impact on a mother witnessing such a fate befall her child.

A Change of Heart? Byron Forst’s Reversal

The finale also saw a potential shift in the motivations of Byron Forst (Ashton Kutcher), the billionaire behind The Beauty. After his wife, Franny (initially Isabella Rossellini, later portrayed by Nicola Peltz Beckham post-transformation), attempts suicide in protest of being forcibly given the drug, Byron halts shipments and offers compensation to those harmed by its side effects. Uppendahl believes this change stems from a genuine love for Franny, acknowledging her ability to see through his facade.

Homage to ‘Death Becomes Her’

A subtle nod to the 1992 film “Death Becomes Her” was incorporated into the finale. Beckham’s portrayal of the transformed Franny included a costume replicating the iconic jeweled top worn by Isabella Rossellini in the original film. This detail, conceived by Ryan Murphy, served as a tribute to Rossellini’s previous role exploring themes of eternal youth and its consequences.

Future Implications and Unanswered Questions

The season finale left several storylines unresolved, including the fate of detective Cooper (Evan Peters) after undergoing his own transformation and the potential return of Carla (Lux Pascal), a technician who also took the drug. While FX has not yet renewed the series for a second season, Uppendahl expressed interest in exploring these storylines further. The finale concluded with Cooper encased in a cocoon, leaving audiences to speculate about his next rebirth and the future of “The Beauty.”

Sources: Hulu, Wikipedia, 6abc Philadelphia, Decider