Upgraded – Movie Review and Summary

While “Upgraded” is predictable and doesn’t pursue standing out, it is enjoyable if you allow it to be.

Plot Summary

Anna is from Florida, moved to New York, and hopes her Master’s degree and work ethic can make it so she can impress Claire, the director of Erwin’s New York auction house. However, Claire is very particular, and with that bringing her success, she is anal about many things, including those who work for her.

This makes Anna the Andy Saches to Claire’s Miranda Priestly (Devil Wears Prada Reference) and her struggle to impress Claire until she points out a mistake made, which gets her noticed for something positive. But, when she has to show she isn’t just capable of a one-off but consistency, that is when trouble arises for Anna finds herself having to use a young man named William, the son of a famous actress and model named Catherine, to seem like she is always resourceful.

Now, Anna isn’t a user and willing to do anything to get ahead. Still, there is no denying William’s access, and Catherine’s, for that matter, aren’t an asset to her. The only questions are, will they find out, how will they react, and could Anna get back in their good graces?

Content Information

• Dialog: Cursing
• Violence: N/A
• Sexual Content: N/A
• Miscellaneous: Drinking

General Information

Director(s)	Carlson Young
Screenplay By	Christine Lenig, Luke Spencer Roberts, Justin Matthews
Based On Work By	N/A
Date Released	February 9, 2024
How To Watch	Prime Video
Genre(s)	Comedy Romance Young Adult
Film Length	1 Hour 44 Minutes
Content Rating	Rated R
Noted Characters and Cast
Anna	Camila Mendes
Claire	Marisa Tomei
William	Archie Renaux
Catherine	Lena Olin

Character Descriptions

Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.

Anna (Camila Mendes)

With a Masters in Art History, credit card debt, college debt, and living on her sister’s futon, Anna needs a major win, and her hustle is banking on impressing Claire to get her career started.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Dangerous Lies.”

Claire (Marisa Tomei)

Claire is one of the top directors at Erwin’s Auction House and runs the New York office. She is meticulous, has married her job, and while she can seem unapproachable, that is just to minimize people bringing BS close enough for her to smell it.

• The actor is also known for their role in “The King Of Staten Island.”

William (Archie Renaux)

William works in advertising, partly because his existence came from his father seeing his mother in an ad. But, outside of his day job, he coaches a soccer team and tries to be a good person.

Catherine (Lena Olin)

A former model, mainly focused on her acting now, Catherine lives a life of luxury with her eccentric friends and with a strong desire to live her life in a fun way.

Review

On The Fence

It’s Likable But Predictable

By no means is “Upgraded” trying to push the idea that it wants to be something new and not follow a formula. A likable lead, an attractive love interest who is good with kids and has ambition, a boss who might be tough, but sees potential, and the list goes on. Almost everything you see in “Upgraded,” including Anna’s rise and fall, can be predicted, for the only thing that has changed is who is who and what job they do, and that’s the only major things.

Yet, with that said, if you like the underdog story of someone faking it till they make it, think they deserve to have a bustling career and love, truly have it all, even if “Upgraded” follows far too many familiar beats, it is hard to not like.

Similar to a holiday movie, it can feel more about comfort than surprises because you know the ending you’ll get, so you can just relax.

Recommendations

Good If You Like

• Young adults hustling for the career they want

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