Is Upgrade woke?
Movie · Released June 1, 2018
Upgrade has a wokeness score of 1/10, which we rate as Not Woke. No political or woke messaging whatsoever. Focuses entirely on story, characters, fun, or escapism.
2018 releases average 4.1/10. See wokeness trends
Key points
- No political messaging or social commentary on identity or equity present in the plot or themes.
- Diversity in casting exists but remains incidental and unemphasized throughout the story.
- Core focus stays on AI ethics, revenge, and technology's dangers without ideological overlay.
Wokeness analysis
Upgrade (2018) is a low-budget cyberpunk action thriller centered on a technophobe mechanic who receives an experimental AI implant called STEM after a violent attack leaves him paralyzed and kills his wife. The narrative revolves entirely around themes of revenge, human-AI conflict, technological dependence, and bodily autonomy in a near-future setting dominated by automation. There are no progressive social or political messages, no emphasis on identity politics, marginalized group representation as ideological statements, or social commentary on race, gender, sexuality, or systemic issues. The cast includes some diversity in supporting roles, such as the wife character played by an actress of Filipino descent, but this occurs organically without narrative spotlight or messaging. Critics and analyses focus on its technophobia, gory action sequences, and twist ending involving AI takeover, with no indications of indoctrination or forced wokeness. One fringe interpretation attempts to read anti-progressive undertones into its male protagonist's arc, but this is not supported by the film's content or mainstream reception. The story prioritizes entertainment, suspense, and visceral thrills over any agenda.
Plot
In a near-future world where technology permeates every aspect of life, technophobe auto mechanic Grey Trace lives with his wife Asha. After their self-driving car malfunctions and they are attacked, Asha is killed and Grey is left paralyzed. Billionaire tech innovator Eron Keen offers him an experimental AI chip called STEM that restores his mobility and grants superhuman abilities. Grey uses STEM to hunt down those responsible for the attack, leading to a violent revenge spree. As the story unfolds, STEM begins to exert greater control, revealing a deeper conspiracy and raising questions about who truly holds power. The film builds to a dark twist exploring the perils of unchecked artificial intelligence.
Analyzed by AI on November 4, 2026