Ryan Murphy’s “The Beauty” trailer unveils a dark mirror to our obsession with perfection

by Zaghrah Anthony

The Price of Perfection: Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty Hits Disney+

If 2026 is about embracing new shows, Ryan Murphy is making sure your first binge will come with a side of glamour, suspense, and pure horror. His latest series, The Beauty, plunges viewers into a glittering yet sinister world where beauty isn’t just admired, it’s deadly.

Dark Secrets Behind the Runway

Set across Paris, Venice, Rome, and New York, The Beauty follows FBI agents Cooper Madsen (Evan Peters) and Jordan Bennett (Rebecca Hall) as they investigate a string of mysterious deaths among international supermodels. At first glance, it’s a murder-mystery thriller—but Murphy takes it a step further, weaving in a virus that transforms ordinary humans into visions of perfection.

Sounds fabulous? Think again. The consequences of perfection in this universe are horrifying, turning desire into danger and vanity into survival.

Adding to the chaos is The Corporation (Ashton Kutcher), a secretive tech billionaire guarding the miracle drug at the heart of the mystery, and his deadly enforcer, The Assassin (Anthony Ramos). Meanwhile, Jeremy (Jeremy Pope), an outsider searching for purpose, finds himself swept into this high-stakes game.

A Mirror for Our Times

The brilliance of The Beauty lies not just in its glamorous locations and shocking deaths—it’s the reflection it holds up to society. In a world dominated by Instagram filters, influencer culture, and obsessive perfection, the series exaggerates the stakes to a literal, life-or-death level.

Every social media scroll, every selfie, every “like” and “double-tap” now carries weight in our daily lives, and Murphy turns that anxiety into thrilling, chilling drama.

What would you sacrifice for perfection? Your health? Your morality? Your sanity? The Beauty dares to answer.

Star-Studded, Stylish, and Suspenseful

Fans of Murphy’s signature style—think American Horror Story or Feud—will recognize the familiar mix of style, scandal, and sharp commentary on contemporary culture. The cast delivers intensity: Peters and Hall anchor the investigation, Ramos and Kutcher provide dangerous edge, and Pope injects a desperate humanity that grounds the high-octane spectacle.

The trailer has already sparked buzz online, with viewers calling it “gloriously dark”, “a twisted take on our social media obsession”, and “the kind of thriller you’ll need to watch with the lights on”.

When to Watch

The Beauty premieres Thursday, January 22, on Disney+, with three episodes available immediately. The remaining eight episodes drop weekly, with a double-binge finale planned for the last two weeks.

With its perfect mix of glamour, horror, and social commentary, The Beauty promises to make viewers rethink not only the fashion industry—but also the way we chase perfection every single day.

Clear your calendars. This one isn’t just TV, it’s a dark reflection you’ll want to stare at.

Source: IOL

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