Up There

The film begins in a sterile 're-start centre' where the dead attend group counselling and are nudged toward positive thinking. From there, the narrative travels to a seaside town and a bustling city, framing the afterlife as a journey through transitional spaces. Everyday locations like libraries and garages become backdrops for encounters between the living and the dead, underscoring the blend of banter, mystery, and melancholy in this liminal world.

⚖️ Afterlife Rules

The movie presents a regulated afterlife with its own rules, where the dead are assessed, assigned roles, and expected to conform to a system that promises advancement. The re-start centre functions as a bureaucratic gate, shaping how characters cope with death and seek a path to 'up there.' This structure creates both comedy and tension as personal desires conflict with institutional boundaries.

🤝 Friendship in Death

Martin and Rash form a volatile but vital partnership as they navigate the strange afterlife together. Their dynamic shifts from friction to cooperation as they pursue a runaway, chase clues, and try to help Chick, illustrating how companionship persists beyond life and affects their choices.

💔 Letting Go & Closure

A core thread concerns letting go of the living and the past. Martin learns that advancement in the afterlife may not align with personal desire, while Rash's actions lead to outcomes that require acceptance and forgiveness. The culmination emphasizes release and reconciliation, including the idea that closure sometimes comes at a distance.