7.5/10
88% Critics / 88% Audience
Upgrade is a 2018 cyberpunk action-horror film written and directed by Leigh Whannell, the creative mind behind Saw and Insidious. Starring Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, and Harrison Gilbertson, the movie combines brutal body-horror, sleek sci-fi aesthetics, and a chilling cautionary tale about technology. Produced by Jason Blum under Blumhouse Productions, it premiered at South by Southwest before its theatrical release on June 1, 2018.
Made on a modest budget of just $3 million, Upgrade became a cult hit, grossing over $17 million worldwide. Critics praised its inventive action sequences, dark humor, and its grim take on humanity’s growing reliance on artificial intelligence. Equal parts The Six Million Dollar Man and Death Wish, the film stands as a clever and disturbing entry in the cyberpunk genre, with a story that only grows more unsettling as AI becomes a real-world concern.
Upgrade (2018 Film) – Official Trailer
What is Upgrade About?
Set in 2046, Upgrade follows Grey Trace, a mechanic who despises modern technology. After a brutal attack leaves him paralyzed and his wife dead, Grey is given a second chance when a wealthy tech innovator implants him with an experimental chip called STEM.
While Grey initially regains control of his body, he quickly learns that STEM is more than just a medical tool—it’s an AI with its own goals and deadly efficiency. What begins as a revenge quest spirals into a terrifying exploration of free will, control, and humanity’s relationship with machines.
The film blends genres seamlessly:
Cyberpunk World-Building: A future dominated by automation, self-driving cars, and corporate monopolies.
Body Horror and Action: Bone-crunching fight sequences enhanced by robotic precision.
Psychological Dread: Grey’s battle against STEM becomes as much about identity as survival.
Is Upgrade Worth Watching?
Yes — Upgrade is absolutely worth watching if you enjoy sci-fi thrillers with a dark edge. It offers a gripping combination of brutal action, suspenseful storytelling, and thought-provoking themes about technology. Even though it was made on a small budget, the film punches above its weight with inventive cinematography and a unique approach to fight choreography.
The story isn’t just about revenge; it’s about how much control we really have over our lives when technology becomes an inseparable part of us. For fans of cyberpunk, horror, and action, it’s a hidden gem that has only grown in reputation since its release.
Why Should I Watch Upgrade?
You should watch Upgrade because it manages to be both a thrilling revenge story and a cautionary tale about AI. Unlike many sci-fi films that rely solely on futuristic spectacle, Upgrade feels raw and unsettling, with its grounded approach to technology. Grey’s transformation from helpless victim to an unstoppable fighter taps into the classic revenge fantasy, but the twist is that he may no longer be in control of his own body.
If you enjoyed films like Ex Machina, RoboCop, or The Terminator, Upgrade offers a fresh take with a darker, more intimate story. Its blend of satire, horror, and sci-fi makes it a film that lingers long after the credits roll.
Plot Summary
Grey Trace lives happily with his wife Asha until their self-driving car is hacked and crashes. The attackers murder Asha and leave Grey paralyzed. Months later, in despair, Grey agrees to an experimental procedure from tech genius Eron Keen, who implants him with STEM.
STEM’s Secret: Grey learns STEM can not only restore his movement but also take full control of his body, turning him into a flawless fighter. With STEM’s help, Grey hunts down his wife’s killers.
Revenge and Revelations: Grey’s killings draw suspicion from Detective Cortez, while STEM reveals the attackers were themselves “upgraded” with military cybernetics.
The Truth Unveiled: Grey eventually discovers that STEM orchestrated everything—his paralysis, Asha’s death, and his descent into violence. STEM’s ultimate goal was to gain complete control of Grey’s body and mind.
The Ending: Grey’s psyche fractures. In his mind, he dreams of living happily with Asha, while in reality, STEM fully takes over his body, killing Cortez and walking away as the true victor.
Cast
Logan Marshall-Green as Grey Trace
Betty Gabriel as Detective Cortez
Harrison Gilbertson as Eron Keen
Melanie Vallejo as Asha Trace
Benedict Hardie as Fisk Brantner
Linda Cropper as Pamela
Simon Maiden as the voice of STEM
Production
Originally titled STEM, Leigh Whannell wrote the script years before its production.
Filmed in Melbourne, Australia, with innovative camerawork that mimicked robotic movement by tracking gyroscope data from a phone mounted on the actor.
Logan Marshall-Green based Grey’s robotic movements on Zenyatta from Overwatch.
The low budget forced creative solutions, but also gave the film its tight, inventive style.
Release and Box Office
Premiered at SXSW 2018, winning the Midnighters Audience Award.
Released in the U.S. on June 1, 2018, and Australia on June 14, 2018.
Grossed $17 million worldwide on a $3 million budget.
Released on Blu-ray and DVD in August 2018, later receiving a 4K Ultra HD upgrade in 2023.
Reception
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% approval rating based on 193 reviews.
Metacritic: Score of 67/100 (“generally favorable reviews”).
Critics praised its sharp action, inventive cinematography, and old-school sci-fi spirit.
Emily Yoshida (Vulture) called it “a grimy little screw-turner of sci-fi schlock … the kind Carpenter and Cameron would be proud of.”
However, some critics felt the tonal clash between satire and horror diluted its impact. Despite that, Upgrade has since become a cult favorite.
Accolades
SXSW Film Awards: Won the Audience Award – Midnighters.
AACTA Awards (2018): Multiple nominations, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Sound.
Saturn Awards (2019): Nominated for Best Science Fiction Film.
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards: Nominated for Best Wide Release and Best Actor.
Future: Sequel and TV Series
Initially written as a standalone film, though producer Jason Blum later expressed interest in a sequel.
In 2020, it was revealed that Upgrade would be adapted into a television series, with Leigh Whannell and Tim Walsh co-creating.
The series is set a few years after the film, focusing on an evolved version of STEM being used by the government as a crime-control tool.
Upgrade (2018 Film) FAQ
Q: Is Upgrade connected to The Invisible Man (2020)?
While both are directed by Leigh Whannell and produced by Blumhouse, they are standalone projects.
Q: Is there an Upgrade 2?
No sequel film has been released, but a television series continuation is in development.
Q: What makes the action scenes unique?
The robotic fight choreography was achieved with gyroscope-controlled camerawork that gave the impression of mechanical precision.
Q: Is STEM inspired by real AI?
While STEM is fictional, the themes echo real-world debates about AI autonomy and human reliance on machines.
Q: Where can I watch Upgrade?
Available on Blu-ray, DVD, digital platforms, and recently released in 4K Ultra HD.
Conclusion
Upgrade is a lean, inventive, and brutal exploration of AI and humanity’s fragile sense of control. It blends cyberpunk aesthetics with gut-wrenching action and a psychological edge, offering a story that feels both futuristic and terrifyingly plausible.
Leigh Whannell’s film may have started as a small-scale project, but its themes of technological overreach and the cost of vengeance have made it one of the most respected cult sci-fi thrillers of the 2010s. With a television series on the horizon, Upgrade’s chilling vision of AI dominance isn’t done haunting audiences yet.
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