
Movie review
Upgrade
Woke Score
Lower is better
- Release Date
- May 31, 2018
- Age Rating
- R
- Runtime
- 100 min
Where to Watch
United States · Last checked 5/14/2026
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Breakdown
Factors & Ratings
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Upgrade.
Representation / casting choices
Standard casting fits the near-future Australian setting and working-class mechanic protagonist; no visible diversity quotas, gender/race swaps, or identity signaling emphasized in marketing or story logic.
Political / ideological dialogue
No explicit political speeches, activist talking points, or ideological debates; dialogue stays personal and plot-driven around revenge and AI control.
Identity-driven story themes
Story follows individual trauma and tech consequences with a classic male avenger arc; zero plotlines centered on race, gender identity, systemic oppression, or group representation.
Institutional / cultural critique
Mild satirical jabs at arrogant tech elites and over-reliance on automation appear as sci-fi world-building, not modern activist critiques of patriarchy, capitalism, toxic masculinity, or Western institutions.
