Plastic Beauty Review: Melodrama, gory surgeries and a thrilling rivalry keep things moving for the most part in Netflix’s newest thriller, Plastic Beauty, wherein we see the ins and outs of the cosmetic surgery industry in depth and the psychology of wanting to change one’s appearance. The series, with 8 episodes, focuses not only on different cases, but also on the doctors who give it their all to help people in need.
At the middle of it all is Numata Fumi, a gifted doctor who finds herself in the very industry that she loathes, only for her to see the other side of it in great detail. With her heart slightly changing, she finds herself in the midst of a family struggle, her own personal problems and a tanking social reputation that all seem to be deliberate. The series doesn’t dole out judgements and, rather, shows different sides of the coin from various perspectives, eventually leaving it all to the audience to decipher.
The cast includes Mayu Matsuoka, Riisa Naka, Shotaro Mamiya, Minami Tanaka, Riku Hagiwara, Mijika Nagai, Daichi Watanabe, Reiji Nakagawake, Kavka Shishido, Yu Shirota, Naozumi Masuko, Sose Takeda, Rika Izumi, Kentaro Tamura, Eisuke Sasai, Hana Amano, Hina Kagei, Naoko Ken, Kayo Noro, Rin Furukawa, Yumi Adachi, Shunsuke Kazama, Koki, Hiromi Nagasaku, and Atsuro Watabe. The 8-episode series (ダウンタイム) is directed by Yuki Saito.
Plastic Beauty Review
A Clash Between Two Very Different Doctors
At the heart of the series is the clash between Numata Fumi and Tohyama Rin, both brilliant doctors with very different specialisations. The series showcases their individualities and their struggles, highlighting their clash as something to root for while slowly bridging the gap as Fumi realises how similar they both are. The road to that realisation is riddled with several surgeries and questions surrounding morality that will split viewers on who’s right and who isn’t.
While Fumi’s approach to medicine is only about saving people’s lives, Rin brings an interesting thought to her mind – what if she can increase the quality of someone’s life instead of just the quantity? It’s an interesting thought that makes her and the viewers look beyond the vanity aspect of cosmetic surgery and delve into the different reasons people might opt for elective procedures. For most of the runtime, the clash of ideologies gives the series a thrilling undercurrent.
The characters, and the series in general, don’t give absolute answers to whether or not cosmetic surgery is powerful or harmful because there truly aren’t any. But the different perspectives that we see thanks to the patients that arrive at Rin’s clinic add differing viewpoints that help viewers to explore the situation with more nuance.
When Beauty Becomes a Medical Question
As mentioned previously, Plastic Beauty understands that cosmetic procedures are not always about vanity. With the rise of social media, mental health has really taken a nosedive among the masses, and as we continue to constantly compare ourselves with others, these procedures can make a positive impact as well. Then again, as we have seen many times, cosmetic surgeries can become an obsession that can have dangerous consequences.
The series toes the line between self-obsession and self-empowerment, exploring the tremendous emotional pressures that can make someone change how they look. Sometimes, it can also be the difference between life and death. It’s a complex and nuanced discussion that a Netflix show might not be able to fully understand or explore, but the series does a great job with whatever it shows us.
The medical setting is a very important part of the series. Beyond making things dramatic, it highlights how invasive and complex such surgeries can be and how they can have an effect on those opting to get them. The question, thus, constantly focuses on self-worth and identity and how much is too much when it comes to changing yourself.
Mayu Matsuoka and Riisa Naka Hold the Drama Together
At the heart of the show, and truly the only people who matter, are the leads, whose magnetic personalities, performances and chemistry will leave viewers enamoured. While the stories surrounding medical neglect and procedures are thrilling and emotional, it’s the journey that these doctors go on and the cutthroat world of the cosmetic surgery industry that will keep viewers entertained.
Mayu adds grit and determination to her role, someone who is set in her ethics but finds it in her heart to see what her patients want, while Naka Riisa does a great job of showcasing Rin in a vulnerable state. You’d expect her character to be no-nonsense and cruel, but underneath the tough exterior, she’s a kind person who wants to do the right thing. They both do a fantastic job of playing two hard-headed characters who find opportunities to grow. This stops the series from turning unnecessarily ugly and leaves viewers excited to see more.
The Glamour Hides Something Much Darker
Plastic surgery has always been seen as something aspirational, glamorous and vapid; something that Plastic Beauty does a good job busting the myth. The series goes beyond what we see to what’s beneath the surface and highlights the difficulties and complications that arise from the surgeries. Questions surrounding money and the desperation to look a certain way plague every episode of the show and bring out the emotions beneath the tough choices.
The series, thus, isn’t about the procedures – it’s about the people getting them and those performing them. The series does a great job highlighting different problems in every episode, showcasing the ups and downs that clients go through and how it affects their mental health. In the end, there isn’t one correct reason to want to change one’s appearance, but none of the reasons is unnecessary.
What Doesn’t Work
Plastic Beauty is far too long, and the sluggish pacing is apparent in some of the episodes. Some episodes feature far too many complications for things to take on momentum, and the subplot surrounding Fumi’s family and what comes out of it later is far too melodramatic and doesn’t fit into the overall narrative.
Final Verdict
Plastic Beauty is more emotional than thrilling and will leave viewers with a whole host of feelings. While its runtime is far too long, it does ask important questions that will leave viewers feeling some type of way. Overall, the series is great to watch thanks to the rivalry between Fumi and Rin, and the overall messaging is great as well.
Plastic Beauty is streaming on Netflix. What are your thoughts on the series? Let us know in the comments below!
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