The Upside
The Upside Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 18, 2026
Movie Overview: The Upside
| Movie | The Upside |
| Release Year | 2019 |
| Director | Neil Burger |
| Genre | Comedy / Drama |
| Runtime | 126 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Upside (2019) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Upside are led by Kevin Hart . The supporting cast, including Bryan Cranston and Nicole Kidman , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Upside stands out as a strong entry in the Comedy genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Comedy narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Upside has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Upside
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2019, The Upside is a Comedy, Drama film directed by Neil Burger. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Kevin Hart.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. 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. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Kevin Hart's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: The Upside
The Upside Ending Explained: Directed by Neil Burger, The Upside resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core comedy themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Kevin Hart. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the comedy themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Upside reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Upside?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Kevin Hart or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Upside
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $37.5M |
| Worldwide Gross | $125.9M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Upside Budget
The estimated production budget for The Upside is $37.5M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Upside
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Upside Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Hulu🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreFandango At HomeThe Upside Parents Guide & Age Rating
2019 AdvisoryWondering about The Upside age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Upside is 126 minutes (2h 6m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.1/10, and global performance metrics, The Upside is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2019 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Upside worth watching?
The Upside is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.1/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Upside parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Upside identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Upside?
The total duration of The Upside is 126 minutes, which is approximately 2h 6m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Upside
Not bad, though I was expecting more from this acting duo.
When Hart name had come up, I thought it was a comedy movie. But it a great movie!! THB this movie has quite an emotional for me. 9/10 for score.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
