The Upside

The Upside

Based on a true story.

Directed by Neil Burger

Produced by Escape Artists

2019126 min7.1 / 10

A warm, feel-good buddy drama about two men from opposite worlds forming a genuine friendship that transforms both their lives.

Phillip is a wealthy quadriplegic who needs a caretaker to help him with his day-to-day routine in his New York penthouse. He decides to hire Dell, a struggling parolee who's trying to reconnect with his ex and his young son. Despite coming from two different worlds, an unlikely friendship starts to blossom.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Does The Upside end with hope? Yes, very. More hopeful than 92% of films.

  • Is The Upside easy watching? Yes, very. More comforting than 90% of films.

  • Is The Upside scary? Barely. Less frightening than 84% of films.

  • Is The Upside violent? Barely. Less violent than 76% of films.

  • Is The Upside sad? Not especially. Less sad than 67% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

53/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity26

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise69

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love72

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like The Upside, and what each one shares →

Like The Upside

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Upside

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Upside, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Upside, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Upside, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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