Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- tense
- earnest
- intimate
- casual weekend viewing
- teen movie night
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Lauren enters the pageant specifically to pursue college scholarship money, making financial access part of the competition.
The plot foregrounds rivalry and manipulation within the pageant world rather than treating the contest as a simple talent showcase.
The film is presented by GSK and places Julie's serious meningitis B illness alongside Lauren's pageant ambitions.
Films like Pretty Hurts, and why
Drop Dead Gorgeous
shared pageant competition, female rivalry, and heightened social satire around beauty standards
Miss Congeniality
shared pageant setting, personal transformation, and accessible empowerment arc
The Edge of Seventeen
shared young female protagonist, social pressure, and friendship-centered coming of-age drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Brian Herzlinger
- Release Date
- 2025-06-28
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (1)
Cast
- Sarah Borne
- Haylie Duff
- Kaci Barker
- Haley Gosserand
- Cyane Gan
- Hannah Westerfield
- Rachael Markarian
- Andrew Shaw
- Jon Lindstrom
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Pretty Hurts about?
- A college hopeful enters a high-pressure beauty pageant while her closest friendship is tested by rivalry, manipulation, and a serious illness.
- What is Pretty Hurts like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Pretty Hurts as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Pretty Hurts violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Pretty Hurts.
- Which films are like Pretty Hurts?
- Films with a similar feel include Drop Dead Gorgeous, Miss Congeniality, and The Edge of Seventeen.
- How long is Pretty Hurts?
- Pretty Hurts runs 90 minutes.
- Where can I watch Pretty Hurts?
- In United States, Pretty Hurts is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex.
