The Ugly is a 1997 New Zealand horror film, the first feature directed and written by Scott Reynolds. The film starred Paolo Rotondo, Rebecca Hobbs, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, and Roy Ward. The film is about a psychiatrist who is meeting with a serial killer to determine whether or not he has been successfully cured. They delve into a journey through his past and his victims, and through this "The Ugly," a distorted allusion to The Ugly Duckling, is revealed. It was nominated for best film awards at festivals in New Zealand, Portugal and the United States.

Plot

Inside of an old, decrepit insane asylum in Auckland, detained serial killer Simon Cartwright (Paolo Rotondo) seeks to be reevaluated by an outside psychiatrist to prove that he has been cured. He specifically asks for Dr. Karen Schumaker (Rebecca Hobbs), who has recently gained some notoriety from winning a case involving another serial killer. Simon is abused by Philip and Robert (Paul Glover and Christopher Graham), two orderlies at the asylum. When Karen arrives, she argues with the head of the asylum, Dr. Marlowe (Roy Ward), who believes she is getting involved in Simon's case for the publicity. As she is led to her first session with Simon, another patient named Marge (Darien Takle) warns Karen to watch out for "The Ugly."