Upgrade Review: 5 Ups And 1 Down

With many futuristic films, there seems to be a need to really-emphasize just how advanced and otherworldly the setting and world are. Here, Upgrade decides to have the advanced tech as tools to complement an otherwise-grounded reality, and it serves the film well. With the futuristic elements being treated as matter-of-fact parts of life, the world-building is effective and feels natural. In turn, you're immersed in this world as you're drawn into the film's setting without the film dedicating extensive runtime to stand in awe of its own world-building.

Much of this likely boils down to the film's limited budget, but the minimalist design helps make the world feel more real and recognizable. Since much of the technology is never absurdly-advanced, the world feels familiar, allowing the audience to easily connect with it. With viewers feeling connected to Upgrade's reality, the film's more outlandish concepts (soldiers with guns implanted into their forearm, for example) are more easily accepted, as audiences already feel eased into the world that's established in the first act.

It's easily immersive without a lot of work needed on the film's part.