This Disney+ thriller with Bella Hadid is a must-see
From the creators of Monster
It remains a delightful surprise. You're binge-watching your favorite series when suddenly a celeb appears who isn't exactly known for their acting skills. That happened with Bella Hadid in ‘Yellowstone’; and that performance did not go unnoticed. Not even by Monster creator Ryan Murphy. He often fishes outside the traditional actor pool and this time he reeled in Bella for her biggest role yet. The new Disney+ thriller ‘The Beauty’ promises to be an intense ride. Trust me: you want to get on board.
Bella Hadid takes new steps in acting
When you think of Bella Hadid, you think of runways, fashion shows, and perfect looks — not immediately of scripts, sets, and call sheets. Yet this role is not her first foray into the acting world. In 2022, Bella made her acting debut in the comedy-drama ‘Ramy’. The series is currently not available for streaming in the Netherlands, so don't panic if nothing rings a bell. With a guest role in two episodes, it wasn't a career switch yet, but definitely a first step.
Two years later, Bella appeared in ‘Yellowstone’ in the tiny guest role of Sadie, the girlfriend of Travis Wheatley (Taylor Sheridan). A dream set. Bella was already a fan of the series, and her years of experience with horses came in handy. Not everyone was thrilled about her cameo, but that doesn't stop Bella. In ‘The Beauty’, she gets to show what she can do again. Still in a guest role, but her biggest one so far.
Welcome to the world of The Beauty, the new Disney+ thriller
In this new series, Bella will recognize plenty of ‘oh yes’ moments, as the story takes place in the modeling world. It gets shaken up when several supermodels mysteriously die. FBI agents Cooper Madsen (Evan Peters) and Jordan Bennett (Rebecca Hall) dive into the case and discover that a sexually transmitted virus is turning people into perfect versions of themselves. It may not sound like an immediate threat until it turns out that the virus is deadly. Their investigation leads the agents to tech billionaire The Corporation (Ashton Kutcher) and his means ‘The Beauty’. He seems willing to do anything to protect his empire. And as the virus spreads further, the future of humanity hangs in the balance.
Bella in The Beauty: here's what to expect
With just over a month until the premiere, the creators are keeping their cards close to their chest. So it's still a guessing game how Bella's character will be named and what role she will play in the story. What we do know: Bella will definitely appear in multiple episodes. Maybe not in all eleven, but if we can believe the behind-the-scenes footage, her role will certainly have an impact. And those scenes? Expect action. Bella, in wet look, red leather suit, and on a motorcycle, racing through the streets of Paris. And a little spoiler: she doesn't come out of it completely unscathed. The first images are promising; this will be a role you won't forget anytime soon.
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Bella is joined by big names
Bella is not exactly surrounded by newcomers in ‘The Beauty’. The lead roles are played by Evan Peters (Dahmer) and Rebecca Hall (The Prestige), a duo that can now dream of the streets of Hollywood. The supporting roles are certainly not filled by amateurs either. Meghan Trainor appears, as do Nicola Peltz Beckham, Ben Platt, and Julie Halston. And by the way, Bella is not the only model icon on set. Isabella Rossellini and Amelia Gray Hamlin are also joining. A cast that reads like a fashion campaign, but with FBI jackets and dangerous plot twists.
Not everything is picture perfect
The series isn't out yet, but the first criticism is already in. The storyline bears some resemblance to ‘The Substance’, the horror film with Demi Moore, which is considered one of the hits of 2024. In the film, Demi's character takes a ‘substance’ that makes her a younger version of herself, with strict rules and horrific consequences if they are broken. Okay, both revolve around beauty and youth, but the details are clearly different. In ‘The Beauty’, it's about a virus, and everything revolves around the FBI agents' search for its origin and how they can stop it.
‘The Substance’ mainly focuses on a celeb who does everything to get back in the spotlight, thanks to a serum. It may seem a bit similar, but Ryan Murphy cannot be accused of theft. He drew his inspiration from a comic book series that is much older than the film with Demi Moore. So no plagiarism, but rather an overlap in the question both creators want to pose: how far would you go for perfection?
Whether the criticism is justified or not, we are definitely mega curious. Just a little patience, and then we can see Bella Hadid shine in her new role. So make a note in your calendar, ‘The Beauty’ will be available from January 22 on Disney+.
