Upgrade

2018
R
1h 40m

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

215K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

1,402

Set in the near-future, technology controls nearly all aspects of life. But when Grey, a self-identified technophobe, has his world turned upside down, his only hope for revenge is an experimental computer chip implant called Stem.

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Artificial Intelligence Cyber Thriller Cyberpunk Dystopian Sci-Fi Action Sci-Fi Thriller

Set in the near-future, technology controls nearly all aspects of life. But when the world of Grey, a self-labeled technophobe, is turned upside down, his only hope for revenge is an experim... Read allSet in the near-future, technology controls nearly all aspects of life. But when the world of Grey, a self-labeled technophobe, is turned upside down, his only hope for revenge is an experimental computer chip implant.Set in the near-future, technology controls nearly all aspects of life. But when the world of Grey, a self-labeled technophobe, is turned upside down, his only hope for revenge is an experimental computer chip implant.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

215K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

1,402

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 3 wins & 26 nominations

Trivia
During the fight scenes, the camera often tracks Grey so that he remains in the middle of frame. According to director Leigh Whannell, this was achieved by hiding a phone somewhere on actor Logan Marshall-Green, which the cameras could then pair to and follow with as much accuracy as possible.

Goofs
Stem asks Grey to hold the drawn tattoo in front of his eyes in order to read it for him. However, Stem already has the picture (since he has drawn it) in his memory, so there was no logical reason to re-scan it again for the purpose of reading it.

Quotes
Grey Trace: See, you thought I was a cripple but you didn't know that I'm a ninja.
Stem: While I am state of the art, I am not a ninja.

Crazy credits
In lieu of text, the production companies and title are instead narrated by an artificial female voice, represented visually by sound waves.

Connections
Featured in Chris Stuckmann Movie Reviews: Upgrade (2018)

Soundtracks
Smokestack Lightning
Written by Howlin' Wolf (as Chester Burnett)
Performed by Howlin' Wolf
Published by Arc Music Corp/Jewel Music (Australia)
By kind permission of the Music Sales Group
Under exclusive license from Geffen Records
Licensed courtesy of Universal Music Australia Pty Limited

User reviews1.4K

Review

Featured review

9/10

Well worth the price of a ticket

I went into this with fairly low expectations. The trailer looked good, and the cinematography looked exciting. But the premise seemed tired and worn.

*in a deep, movie-voice over voice* some guys kill his wife, and now he's seeking revenge".

But this film surpassed my expectations, and was a well-worth experience. Not only was I correct about the cinematography being exciting and engaging, but the plot actually strung together compelling way. This film came out of nowhere for me, and now, it's a memorable film that accomplishes the most important goal of any great film: gets the audience to keep wondering about it.

Since I don't want to go into spoilers, I'll say one last thing: pay attention to the Foley artist's work. The sound design is poignant and additive to the experience. It reminds me of the clever usage of music from Baby Driver. Nothing is wasted and is always enriching of the world building. With Baby Driver, the music was giving us Baby's personal experience. Here, the sound effects give us Grey's point of view. Didn't experiences, but both are elevated through sound, masterfully.

I genuinely want to see it again. If the trailer interested you at all, go see it. It's worth your while.