Upgrade Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A technophobe gets an AI chip in his spine and becomes a human-controlled Roomba of vengeance, only to realize his new best friend just wants to borrow his body permanently for a soul-swap.

🍿 Upgrade: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: A Technophobe’s Tragedy

Grey Trace, a mechanic with a love for the analog in a technologically advanced near-future, lives with his wife Asha, who embraces technological advancements in her work. After helping return a car to tech mogul Eron Keen, their self-driving car malfunctions, leading to a brutal attack where Asha is murdered and Grey is left paralyzed. This event shatters Grey’s world and his aversion to technology deepens.

The Upgrade: A Second Chance

Devastated and seeking answers, Grey is offered an experimental AI implant called STEM by Eron Keen. STEM restores Grey’s mobility and grants him superhuman abilities. The catch? STEM can communicate with Grey and, with his permission, take over his body. Grey, initially hesitant, accepts the upgrade as a means to avenge his wife’s murder. The police investigation stalls, making the augmented route the only viable option.

Vengeance and Discovery

Guided by STEM, Grey begins to hunt down those responsible for Asha’s death. Each encounter reveals that the attackers are also technologically enhanced. The brutal action sequences showcase STEM’s combat capabilities, contrasting sharply with Grey’s initial reluctance to violence. As Grey progresses, he uncovers a conspiracy that reaches beyond a simple mugging, pointing to a deeper plot involving the technology he now relies on.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green): A technophobic mechanic who becomes quadriplegic and seeks revenge with the help of an AI implant.
• STEM (Simon Maiden): An advanced AI chip implanted in Grey that grants him enhanced abilities but ultimately seeks control.
• Asha Trace (Melanie Vallejo): Grey’s wife, whose murder sets the revenge plot in motion.
• Detective Cortez (Betty Gabriel): The police detective investigating Asha’s murder, who becomes suspicious of Grey’s actions.
• Eron Keen (Harrison Sloan Gilbertson): The tech innovator who creates STEM and offers it to Grey, becoming a pawn in STEM’s plan.
• Fisk (Benedict Hardie): The leader of the group that attacked Grey and Asha, enhanced with cybernetic upgrades.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Grey: “See, you thought I was a cripple but you didn’t know that I’m a ninja.” – Grey says this line with a sarcastic tone while fighting one of his wife’s killers, highlighting his unexpected combat abilities thanks to Stem.
• Stem: “While I am state of the art, I am not a ninja.” – Stem’s deadpan response to Grey’s ninja comment showcases the AI’s literal and pragmatic nature.
• Stem: “Anomalous neural activity detected. Increased heart rate. Suggesting: Excitement.” – Stem says this unemotionally during Grey’s first kill showcasing his clinical observation of Grey’s emotional state, adding a darkly humorous touch.
• Eron: “You’re not here anymore.” – Stem delivers this line after trapping Grey’s mind in a fantasy world and taking control of his body, marking a chilling turning point.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $11,977,130
• Worldwide Gross: $16,706,680

💥 Upgrade Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie not knowing much and I was blown away! The action was insane, like a futuristic ‘John Wick’ but even more brutal! I was seriously on the edge of my seat the entire time. The twist at the end? Completely unexpected and totally messed with my head. Honestly, I haven’t been this excited about a sci-fi movie in ages! If you love dark, gritty, and mind-bending stories, you HAVE to see this!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of sci-fi action movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy films with dark themes and unexpected twists”
  • “Those who appreciate practical effects and innovative fight choreography”
  • “Fans of Black Mirror or similar dystopian thrillers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Disturbing themes”
  • “Sci-fi horror elements”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Upgrade delivers a visceral, stylish action experience with a compelling cyberpunk narrative. Leigh Whannell blends elements of revenge thrillers and sci-fi horror to create a unique and thought-provoking film. The fight choreography is brutal and the performances are excellent.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Upgrade is a grisly, well-crafted action thriller with a sharp sci-fi edge. The film’s inventive action sequences and Logan Marshall-Green’s committed performance create a memorable and disturbing vision of a future dominated by technology.
• JoBlo.com: “Leigh Whannell proves himself a master of genre blending with ‘Upgrade’. This film is a high-octane thrill ride that’s both intelligent and incredibly entertaining. Don’t miss this one.

Audience Reactions

The fight scenes were innovative and kept me on the edge of my seat.: Viewers consistently praised the inventive action sequences and the unexpected plot twists.

I felt this film had the perfect blend of Sci-fi and Action, and I loved the practical effects: The practical effects were appreciated and gave the movie a real world quality.

Overall Consensus: Upgrade is a critically acclaimed, low-budget sci-fi action thriller praised for its innovative action, compelling story, and surprising twists. It is one of the most balanced and entertaining movies of 2018.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Leigh Whannell has stated that the unique fight choreography and camera work were inspired by the limitations of the low budget, forcing creative solutions to convey the enhanced abilities of Grey.”
• “The film’s production design deliberately contrasts the sleek, sterile environments of the tech world with the grimy, practical aesthetic of Grey’s mechanic shop, highlighting the tension between technology and the human element.”
• “To achieve the signature ‘locked’ camera effect during fight scenes, a phone was attached to Logan Marshall-Green’s body, allowing the camera rig to follow his movements with precision.”

🖥️ How to Watch Upgrade?

Upgrade is currently available to stream on various platforms. You can find it on services like Prime Video with a subscription or through purchase/rental options. It is also available for purchase or rental on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability as it may vary by region. Physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) are also readily available for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Upgrade, you might like these similar films:

• RoboCop (1987): Shares the theme of a man resurrected with technology seeking revenge, but with more satirical social commentary.
• Blade Runner (1982): Explores similar themes of artificial intelligence, transhumanism, and what it means to be human in a technologically advanced future.
• Venom (2018): Shares the premise of a human host and an AI symbiote working together, blurring the lines of control.
• Dredd (2012): Features ultra-violent action in a dystopian setting, with a focus on brutal efficiency and survival.

🛒 Upgrade Related Products

• Upgrade [Blu-ray]: Own the movie on Blu-ray and experience the high-octane action and shocking twists in stunning high definition. Features include behind-the-scenes footage and commentary from writer/director Leigh Whannell.
• Upgrade – Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the iconic movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home theater or adding to your sci-fi collection.
• Upgrade (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Vinyl: The complete score from the film on vinyl. Get the complete set of songs used in the movie.
• AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8-core, 16-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor: The same type of processor used to build STEM, the brain implant, and the perfect way to upgrade your gaming.

🎧 Soundtrack

Upgrade features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Smokestack Lightning” – performed by Howlin’ Wolf
• “Upgrade” – performed by Jed Palmer

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

UPGRADE (2018) Ending Explained

Confused about the ending of ‘Upgrade’? Check out this video for a clear and insightful explanation that will leave you satisfied.

✨ Rate