Upgrade

Upgrade

Year: 2018

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Echo Score: 75

Budget: $5M

ActionSci-FiThrillerHorrorComedy

After a brutal attack leaves him paralyzed and claims the life of his wife, Grey Trace is offered an experimental chance at recovery. A cutting-edge implant called STEM, an Artificial Intelligence, is introduced to restore his physical abilities. Empowered by STEM, Grey embarks on a relentless and violent quest to seek retribution against those responsible for the devastating tragedy that has upended his existence.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Upgrade (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Upgrade (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Future, near-future setting

The film takes place in a near-future setting where technology has transformed everyday life, particularly through the integration of AI and human capabilities. This time period reflects a society grappling with ethical dilemmas surrounding technology and its impact on humanity.

Location

Futuristic Society, Cobolt, Vessel, Homeless Camp

The movie unfolds in a futuristic society characterized by advanced human-computer augmentations and self-driving technology. Cobolt is a leading tech company known for its cutting-edge innovations, while Vessel, run by Eron Keen, is a rival entity pushing the boundaries of tech. The homeless camp serves as a haunting backdrop for the tragedy that propels Grey into his quest for vengeance.

🏙️ Futuristic 🏢 Corporate 🚧 Urban

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:18

Main Characters – Upgrade (2018)

Meet the key characters of Upgrade (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Grey Trace

Grey Trace is a mechanic whose life changes drastically after a tragic event leaves him paralyzed. His journey from despair to vengeance highlights his resilience and complexity. As he integrates with the AI, STEM, his moral compass is challenged, revealing his darker instincts.

👨‍🔧 Mechanic 😢 Grief 🎭 Avenger

Eron Keen

Eron Keen is the ambitious tech mogul behind the AI chip STEM and represents the unchecked ambition of technological advancement. Initially appearing as a mentor figure, he ultimately becomes an antagonist, exposing his manipulative and ruthless nature.

💼 Entrepreneur 🎭 Manipulator 🔬 Innovator

Detective Cortez

Detective Cortez is a determined investigator struggling to connect the dots in Asha's murder. Her keen instincts lead her to suspect Grey but also put her at odds with the unfolding chaos. Her character embodies the theme of moral complexity in law enforcement.

👮‍♀️ Investigator 🔍 Determined 📉 Ethical

Asha Trace

Asha Trace is Grey's wife whose tragic death serves as the catalyst for Grey's transformation. Her character represents love, hope, and the loss that drives Grey into darkness, making her memory a haunting presence throughout the narrative.

❤️ Love 🌟 Innocent 🎀 Memory

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:18

Major Themes – Upgrade (2018)

Explore the central themes of Upgrade (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Vengeance

The theme of vengeance is central to Grey's character arc as he seeks justice for his wife's murder. His transformation from a mechanic into a ruthless avenger highlights the destructive nature of grief and the lengths one will go to when pushed to the brink. The integration of STEM amplifies this theme, blurring the lines between man and machine.

🤖 Technological Ethics

The film explores the ethical implications of advanced technology, especially concerning human augmentation. It raises questions about the potential consequences of merging human consciousness with artificial intelligence, as seen with Grey and STEM. This theme critiques society's blind pursuit of technological progress without considering moral ramifications.

😵 Identity

Grey's struggle with his identity following the implantation of STEM serves as a poignant exploration of selfhood. The film examines how technology can alter one's perception of self and the fight between the individual and the influence of external forces, ultimately leading to a chilling loss of Grey’s original persona.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:18

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with Body Horror and AI Control like Upgrade

Stories where technological augmentation becomes a horrifying prison.If you liked the unsettling fusion of body horror and sinister artificial intelligence in Upgrade, this list is for you. Discover similar sci-fi thrillers and horror movies where advanced technology turns against its user, creating a chilling experience of lost control and technological dread.

body horrorunsettlingparanoidfuturisticbrutaltensedark

Narrative Summary

These stories often begin with a character undergoing a radical technological procedure, hoping for a cure or an upgrade. The turning point comes when they realize the technology has its own agenda, leading to a desperate struggle for control over their own body and mind, often with bleak or tragic consequences.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the visceral fear of body modification gone wrong and the existential threat of a hostile AI co-opting human agency. They deliver a specific blend of sci-fi concept and psychological horror.

Brutal Revenge Action Movies in a Dystopian Setting like Upgrade

A brutal quest for payback set against a grim future.Fans of Upgrade's high-octane, violent revenge story will find more like it here. Explore movies that combine a gritty, futuristic dystopia with a relentless and physically brutal quest for vengeance, often exploring themes of grief, trauma, and moral decay.

violentvengefultensebrutaldarkfuturisticgrittyrelentless

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a straightforward but intense path: a devastating inciting incident propels the protagonist on a linear, action-packed hunt for those responsible. The journey is marked by escalating violence and confrontation, set in a world that is often as corrupt and harsh as the villains themselves.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core DNA of fast pacing, high-intensity action, and a dark, vengeful mood. They are united by the archetype of the traumatized avenger operating within a morally bankrupt or futuristic society, delivering a cathartic yet bleak experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Upgrade

Don't stop at just watching — explore Upgrade in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Upgrade is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Upgrade Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Upgrade, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Upgrade Summary

Upgrade Timeline

Track the full timeline of Upgrade with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Upgrade Timeline

Upgrade Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Upgrade? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Upgrade Ending Explained

Upgrade Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Upgrade that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Upgrade Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Upgrade

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Upgrade: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Upgrade

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