What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedUpload
Greg Daniels · Series · 2020
If you loved Upload, start with Upgraded (Carlson Young, 2024) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Upload across media.
What hooked you in Upload was the sharp, satirical way it blends high-concept technological absurdity with the messy, relatable realities of human connection.
Books on the same thread
Feed
M. T. Anderson · Book · 2012
Shares a thread with Upload: Technological Dependence.
If Upload made you question the cost of digital convenience, this biting look at consumerism and technological dependence offers a darker, more cynical exploration of our obsession with being connected.
The Future
Naomi Alderman · Book · 2025
Shares a thread with Upload: Corporate satire.
Just as Upload critiques the corporate control of the afterlife, this thriller examines how ultra-wealthy tech moguls manipulate the future, capturing that same unease regarding the intersection of power and innovation.
Arrival
Ted Chiang · Book · 2016
Explores: Alien Contact, Linguistics, Time Perception.
Those who appreciated the philosophical inquiries within Upload will find this collection’s deep dive into the nature of reality and human perception to be a intellectually stimulating and emotional successor.
Stories of Your Life and Others
Ted Chiang · Book · 2015
Explores: Linguistics, Free Will vs. Determinism, The Nature of Reality.
This collection mirrors the way Upload balances scientific curiosity with human emotion, offering profound reflections on how technology fundamentally alters the way we experience our own lives and relationships.
Films on the same thread
Upgraded
Carlson Young · Film · 2024
Shares a thread with Upload: Class Differences.
If the workplace dynamics and social climbing in Upload kept you entertained, you will enjoy this film’s similar focus on high-stakes white lies and the complicated navigation of professional success.
Palm Springs
Max Barbakow · Film · 2020
Explores: Existential Crisis, Coping with Trauma, Fate vs. Free Will.
Much like the trapped existence of Nathan in Upload, this film explores the existential dread and romantic potential of being stuck in a repetitive, artificial environment with a singular companion.
Upgrade
Leigh Whannell · Film · 2018
Explores: Artificial Intelligence, Technological Enhancement, Revenge.
If the integration of technology into the human experience in Upload intrigued you, this intense story provides a grittier look at the loss of control that comes with digital augmentation.
Sorry to Bother You
Boots Riley · Film · 2018
Explores: Corporate Dystopia, Code-switching, Racial Identity.
This film shares the biting corporate satire found in Upload, using a surreal and humorous lens to expose the absurdity of late-stage capitalism and the compromises we make for success.
Podcasts on the same thread
Recycle Bin
fpt. · Podcast · 2025
Explores: internet culture, tech industry news, casual conversation.
If you enjoyed the tech-obsessed world-building of Upload, this podcast provides the perfect satirical analysis and commentary on the very industry culture that makes such digital dystopias feel possible.
The Truth
The Truth · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human condition, experimental storytelling, moral ambiguity.
These cinematic audio stories capture the same blend of speculative fiction and human vulnerability that defined Upload, offering short, impactful explorations of the moral ambiguity inherent in modern life.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of Upload?
Upload is set in 2033, where individuals near death can be uploaded into virtual reality afterlife hotels. The story follows Nathan, a coder who is permanently uploaded into the luxurious Lakeview afterlife after a car crash, where he interacts with Nora, a customer service representative living in Brooklyn.
Who runs the virtual reality hotels in Upload?
In the world of Upload, the virtual reality afterlives are managed by six different tech firms. One of these companies operates Lakeview, the luxurious digital afterlife where the character Nathan is uploaded following his fatal self-driving car accident.
Is Nora a digital entity in Upload?
No, Nora is not a digital entity in Upload. She is a cash-strapped living person based in Brooklyn who works in customer service for Lakeview. She manages the digital afterlife experiences for residents like Nathan, who was uploaded into the system after his car crash.
How does Nathan end up in the afterlife in Upload?
Nathan, an L.A. party-boy and coder, ends up in the afterlife in Upload after his self-driving car crashes. Following the accident, his high-maintenance girlfriend makes the decision to have him permanently uploaded into the Lakeview virtual reality world where Nora works.