Upgraded is about the hijinks that ensue when an air traveller is upgraded from economy to first class — which is an apt metaphor for the film itself, which elevates its bargain-basement concept into a frivolous romp that's more fun than expected.
Blatantly taking inspiration from The Devil Wears Prada, Ana (Riverdale's Camila Mendes) is a lowly assistant working at a New York auction house, where she's the underling to ruthless boss Claire (Marisa Tomei). On a work trip to London, Ana is upgraded to first class, where her seatmate is cute British boy William (Archie Renaux).
For reasons that aren't fully clear, Ana pretends that she's an auction director rather than assistant, and she strikes up a whirlwind romance with Archie. She even spends free moments in London getting to know his famous actress of a mom Catherine (Lena Olin).
Upgraded is formulaic in the same way as a well-written pop song, when it's satisfying to witness the expected beats slot neatly together. In the way of many above-average rom-coms, much of Upgraded's appear comes from its undercard rather than its leads; in particular, Andrew Schulz delivers the film's best one-liners as the snarky brother-in-law Ronnie, while Anthony Head (a.k.a. Giles from Buffy) steals scenes as Catherine's wealthy artist friend. Derry Girls lead Saoirse-Monica Jackson isn't quite as successful in a confusing turn as the coworker Amy, whose enormous granny glasses aren't quite kooky enough to disguise a lack of personality.
First-time feature director Carlson Young allows some sloppiness to seep into Upgraded that betrays its straight-to-streaming cheapness; a chocolate box that very conspicuously moves around Claire's desk during one scene suggests that a script supervisor may not have been present.
Shortcomings aside, it's a fun fantasy about a struggling low-wage working American who gets drawn into the lives of wealthy Brits like it's Emily in Paris: London Edition. It's easily one of the best '00s rom-coms of the 2020s.
