Upgrade

Upgrade (2018): Spoiler-Free Review

Upgrade is Leigh Whannell’s 2018 science fiction action film about a man and his body’s new brain. It is fast, bloody and darkly funny.

The Premise

In the near future, Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green) is a mechanic who loves old cars. After a brutal attack, his wife is dead and he is paralyzed. A rich inventor offers him a tiny chip called STEM that can control his body. Grey can walk again, and he starts to hunt the men who ruined his life. STEM has ideas of its own.

Why It Works

• Logan Marshall-Green plays the fight scenes with wild, robotic moves.
• The action is smart and unique, and it is well shot.
• The film looks great, even on a small budget.
• It premiered at the South by Southwest festival in 2018.

At a Glance

• Director and writer: Leigh Whannell
• Cast: Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, Harrison Gilbertson
• Studio: Blumhouse
• Genre: Science fiction action

Verdict

A sharp, violent and clever thriller with a great hook. It is one of the best surprises of its year.

• Who should watch: Fans of cyberpunk, body horror and action.
• Spoilers: none. We never reveal the twist in this review.