Can a comedy about self-perception actually change how we view beauty and confidence?

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the 2018 comedy I Feel Pretty, Renee Bennett undergoes a radical transformation after a head injury. She wakes up believing she has become beautiful, though her appearance remains unchanged. This premise sparked intense debate about body positivity, Hollywood tropes, and whether the film truly empowers or merely insults its audience.

Directed by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, the film follows Renee, an insecure woman working for a cosmetics firm who wishes to be beautiful. After a fall, she gains immense self-confidence, leading her to land a dream job and a new romance. The film’s central conceit is that Renee’s physical appearance never shifts; only her perception of herself changes, causing those around her to react to her newfound, albeit sometimes arrogant, attitude.

The reception was sharply divided. While some critics praised the performances of Amy Schumer and Michelle Williams, others accused the film of body shaming and hypocrisy. Critics like Peter Travers questioned whether the movie could effectively deliver a message of body positivity while relying on the very tropes it claimed to critique. Conversely, supporters like Bill Maher argued that the film was unfairly targeted by those looking to be offended, noting that it was written and directed by women with a pro-woman message.

Commercially, the film grossed $94.5 million worldwide against a $32 million budget. Despite its mixed critical reception—holding a 35% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes—it resonated with specific demographics, with younger female audiences giving it high marks. The film’s legacy even extended to a 2021 French-language remake, Belle, belle, belle, proving that the tension between internal self-worth and external validation remains a potent, if contentious, subject for modern cinema.

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