Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty Comic Book Changes, Explained

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Ryan Murphy, a writer and producer known for his varied work in television, is particularly famous for his unique style of horror. His newest project in this genre is based on a popular comic book of the same name, adapted with Matthew Hodgson.

The new FX show, similar to the Image Comics series it’s based on, features a sexually transmitted disease that makes people incredibly attractive, but ultimately leads to a gruesome death. Like the film The Substance from 2024, the show also presents the disease as a kind of miracle cure. However, that’s just the beginning of how much the show deviates from the original comic book.

The Beauty TV Series Begins With The Disease Being Discovered

Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty draws heavily from the first volume of the comic book by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, which was originally released in August 2015. The TV series adapts the story in a similar way to how other adaptations make changes, though its alterations are much more subtle.

Similar to the comic series it’s based on, The Beauty takes place in a world changed by a mysterious and deadly disease. This illness appeared two years before the story starts and has caused a major split in society. Some people violently oppose the disease, while others desperately want to catch it, believing it will give them the appearance – and social standing – they desire.

I was hooked from the very beginning! The creators, Murphy and Hodgson, decided to show us how ‘The Beauty’ first started gaining notoriety. The first scene is insane – a supermodel just loses it, going on a really violent outburst, and then… well, let’s just say it ends messily, with her exploding. It’s this shocking event that kicks off the whole mystery and completely overwhelms the people in charge.

The show accurately portrays the dangerous side effects of the Beauty’s condition as depicted in the comics, and even makes them more disturbing. The illness itself also undergoes a significant change for the television adaptation.

The Beauty Carrier Transformations Are Much More Intense

The similarities between The Beauty and other stories aren’t limited to the use of a miracle drug. In Coralie Fargeat’s acclaimed thriller, Demi Moore plays an aging Hollywood star who tries to regain her youth with a special serum. This serum has a shocking effect: she physically gives birth to a younger, ‘improved’ version of herself, portrayed by Margaret Qualley.

People infected with The Beauty undergo a difficult transformation into what seems like an improved version of themselves, and the changes are lasting. Shortly after contracting the disease, they develop a dangerously high fever and their bodies start to change in unusual ways. Eventually, they’re enveloped in a thick, slimy cocoon, and emerge with a new body that is free from any physical flaws.

One of the best things about the FX show is its genuinely frightening imagery, which significantly enhances the horror aspects of the original story and leaves a lasting impact.

I’m fascinated by the way the comic reveals the infection – characters only realize something’s changed when they see themselves in the mirror after waking up. It’s such a clever, subtle horror! One of the main characters actually discovers he’s contracted ‘The Beauty’ from his wife this way. It’s a shame the adaptation won’t show that scene, though. Apparently, that version of the character doesn’t survive the changes needed to bring the story to life on screen, which is a real loss, in my opinion.

The Beauty’s Main Characters Are “Closer” In The Show

The new FX series, The Beauty, is inspired by the comic book, but doesn’t directly follow its story. The 11-episode show, available on Hulu and Disney+ every Thursday, features entirely new characters and doesn’t include any of the comic’s main heroes, most notably its two leads.

This comic centers around detectives Drew Foster and Kara Vaughn, who lead their city’s Beauty Task Force, investigating crimes connected to a mysterious illness. Many police shows with similar themes would likely feature a romantic relationship between the partners, but Foster and Vaughn share a close bond that remains strictly platonic – a surprisingly refreshing choice, especially when compared to how these characters are usually portrayed.

Evan Peters, working with Ryan Murphy again, plays FBI agent Cooper Madsen. He’s partnered with Jordan Bennett, played by Rebecca Hall. The series introduces them in a provocative scene before they head to investigate a crime. However, it’s quickly established – and repeatedly emphasized – that their relationship is purely casual, creating a predictable tension about whether they’ll become more than just partners.

Fortunately, Bennett shares a key similarity with Vaughn: both carry ‘The Beauty.’ While the comic book introduces Vaughn after he’s already infected – a surprise revealed early on – the TV show vividly portrays Bennett’s disturbing transformation into a Beauty, with Jessica Alexander playing the role.

Before it even aired on January 21, 2026, the show’s trailer broke records, becoming the most-viewed trailer for any FX original series. Since its release, the show has also found success, currently ranking as one of the top eight most popular shows on Hulu.

It’ll be fascinating to watch how the show – starring Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, and Ashton Kutcher – continues to update the original story. Reviews have been somewhat mixed so far, but Ryan Murphy’s bold choices might just turn it into something truly special.

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2026-01-30 17:38