Upgrade
While I am very happy that so many are taking my advice to watch the so-bad-it’s-actually-amazing Madame Web on Netflix, I want to pivot a minute and give a more serious recommendation.
Netflix has landed a few new licensed films besides that recently, and there is one that I think you should check out that you may not have seen, or really even heard of, given how low it flew under the radar.
That would be Upgrade, the 2018 feature that is currently #3 on the service. It’s an R-rated action film based on a fascinating concept. In it, a paralyzed man is given an AI implant that will enhance his body beyond its former capabilities, and it allows him superhuman speed and strength to get revenge on the people who killed his wife. But if you let an AI into your body, you may understand that some…bad things may happen.
The film has a relatively unknown cast, with the “oh it’s that guy” star of Logan Marshall-Green, who has appeared in projects like Prometheus and Spider-Man Homecoming (he was Shocker). I know him best for playing Ryan’s brother in The OC, after the character was recast between seasons. Don’t look up how many years ago that was if you don’t want to feel old. Marshall-Green does great work here in a role that requires a ton of physical exertion in the weird ways the AI controls his body during action scenes (and no doubt he had help from a big stunt team). Director Leigh Whannell also directed the very-good Invisible Man in 2020.
Upgrade
Upgrade was well-reviewed by both critics and audiences with an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes from both. The film made relatively little money in theaters. It opened to $4.6 million and did not manage to get more than $16 million globally. However, the movie allegedly cost only $3 million to make, so it turned a profit, it seems. Now, it’s being watched by millions on Netflix and yes, that should include you.
There was never a sequel to Upgrade, despite the fact that it seems like it could have gotten one. It’s not impossible a resurgence of popularity on Netflix could help spark such a thing, but I wouldn’t hold your breath. If I had to compare it to other films, it’s in the vein of something like Nobody or even Taken, a one-man wrecking crew of revenge, albeit this time around with a sci-fi twist. I’m not going to compare it to John Wick, it’s not like John Wick. Everything is compared to John Wick now.
Upgrade is also a breeze watch at just an hour and a half long, no sprawling blockbuster running time here. It’s very violent, so it may not be for everyone, but I’m going to recommend it to all action/sci-fi fans for sure, and I’m about to give it a rewatch myself.
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Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
