The Star-Studded Cast of 'Upgraded' Reflects the Romantic Comedy's Lifespan
Derry Girls, Riverdale, Shadow and Bone, and Spider-Man stars come together in Prime Video's latest rom-com.
Romantic comedies constantly evolve, even when the naysayers deem them dead and buried. In some ways, that’s the thesis of this newsletter because Notes on Nostalgia wouldn’t exist if the contrary were true. As one of my favorite creators, Jas at JustMeJas on TikTok, put it recently, “So, no, the rom-com was not dead. It’s just been going through its awkward teen years, trying to figure out who she is.” Part of understanding who the rom-com is in 2024 means understanding what audiences want from them and who they want to star in them.
Prime Video’s Upgraded is a surprisingly positive example of the latter with its broadly appealing ensemble. Its stars range from rom-com newcomers to familiar faces within the genre, bolstering the argument that the romantic comedy is far from dead. Rather, its heartbeat grows stronger with each star-studded addition.
Still, knowing the leads can convey what the rom-com needs is critical. The best of the genre are endearing, sincere, and tooth-achingly romantic. They also tap into humor through their relatability or universality. Despite what detractors say, rom-coms do require talent, and Upgraded has plenty of it in its ensemble.
Camila Mendes has more than flexed her wide-ranging talents in the seven seasons she played Veronica Lodge on The CW’s teen drama Riverdale based on Archie Comics. The actress (among a ridiculously talented cast) even helped the argument to revive the teen comedy in Netflix’s Do Revenge. (I’m shocked! This is shocking news!) If anyone can hold their own in a romantic comedy, it’s her.
It’s helpful that Mendes finds herself in the company of someone who has already dipped his toe into the rom-com waters — Archie Renaux. Upgraded will be his second romantic comedy after While You Were Sleeping’s cousin, The Other Zoey. This rom-com’s trailer bodes better for Renaux’s screentime, and his filmography instills confidence in his ability to deliver charm and romance when it counts. After all, Renaux and Jessie Mei Li brought Mal Oretsev and Alina Starkov’s love story from the pages of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse to life on Shadow and Bone.
Casting actors like Camila Mendes and Archie Renaux, who starred in much-loved shows, engages audiences. Pre-existing interest incentivizes people to watch Upgraded. That allure is especially beneficial for a streaming rom-com that could fly under the radar without the same promotion as a blockbuster or one with a built-in fanbase like the book-to-movie adaptation Red, White & Royal Blue.
It would be remiss not to recognize Marisa Tomei as a major pull for Upgraded. She made a recent yet lasting impression as Aunt May in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movies (I have a soft spot for Sally Field’s Aunt May in The Amazing Spider-Man movies, but Tomei is a very close second). Tomei has her own history with romantic comedies, starring opposite Robert Downey Jr. (!!!) in 1994’s Only You. Yes, that makes their on-screen reunion in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War fun.
While it’s up to Hollywood to give us more rom-coms so she can be the romantic heroine again, it’s exciting to see Tomei take on the role of Claire Dupont — the high-powered, stylish boss who overworks and underappreciates the lead. That character type is just as prominent in the genre as the lead. Without Claire Dupont and similar roles (Lucy Liu’s Kirsten Stevens in Set It Up is my favorite), there’s no reason for the rom-com leads to work overtime as up-and-coming writers or personal assistants — or, in Upgraded’s case, for Ana to fly the extra miles to secure a sparkling recommendation to work at a top art gallery.
Notably, Liu and Tomei are perfect examples of big-screen performers bringing their talents to streaming rom-coms. Combining subjectively lesser-known actors with those known for starring in bigger-budget projects grants the rom-com merit across both platforms. It shows that icons like Liu and Tomei still engage with the genre while highlighting the new(er) talent that also wants to keep it alive.
Because there are actors who want to star in rom-coms consistently. Namely, Glen Powell has become a recent staple after the successes of Set It Up and Anyone But You. Commendably, he has no problem standing up for the genre, either. He did so recently at Sundance while promoting Hit Man. “I always find it to be silly when certain actors diminish certain genres because…at its best execution, it gives an audience such joy, and it’s so fun,” Powell said to Variety.
The actor went on to discuss his recent rom-com that prominently features Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” (Will Gluck loves a Bedingfield song!). “But, for me, I mean, Anyone But You was such a treat to see audiences dance out of the theater and feel so happy after watching a movie. And to see box office not, you know, stick but grow has been such a cool lesson that sometimes the genres that are forgotten are the ones that audiences are craving the most,” Powell added.
And he’s right! Actors are as hungry to make romantic comedies as audiences are to watch them. Recently, Daniel Radcliffe pitched a return to the genre with the Quinta Brunson, who he calls his “height match.” Radcliffe starred in one of the best ’10s rom-coms, What If, before bringing his talents to four seasons of Miracle Workers. In which Radcliffe acted opposite Geraldine Viswanathan, who stars in one of my favorite rom-coms of all time — 2020’s The Broken Hearts Gallery. Seriously, it’s a must-watch, and not only because it is one of the rom-coms that made me believe the genre could have a real, lasting resurgence.
So, the genre can’t be dead or dying if this caliber of talent throughout Hollywood is so invested in its resurgence from the silver screen to the streaming one. There’s a reason why people wait with bated breath for any updates on a rom-com starring Ayo Edebiri and Paul Mescal. After Mescal expressed interest, Edebiri publicly entertained the idea to AwardsWatch in 2023. “It has to be in an About Time vibe. Something that’s got, like, a heart, so he can still flex his drama muscles where it’s like, the covert rom-com. Like, still a rom-com, but we got to get something inventive,” Edebiri said. The beauty of Edebiri’s statement is that the “inventive” rom-com (that we will hopefully see Edebiri and Mescal in very soon) exists because of the genre’s continued evolution.
Hulu’s Palm Springs, starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, is among the most unique films in the growing catalog with its Groundhog Day method. 2019’s Plus One, starring Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid, is a personal favorite with its cynical and realist approach to the friends-to-lovers trope. Tweaking that framing to include arguably unlikable leads, 2015’s Sleeping with Other People becomes a perfect fit for a double feature. Those three are only a few that remix the tried-and-true formula of the romantic comedy.
Ultimately, a rom-com’s formula is malleable to a creative’s whims. Whatever the story is and however the characters need to exist, the rom-com can become something great with the best intentions and execution.
So, yes, Upgraded may look like many that come before it when it premieres, and that’s okay. Those embracements of form keep the genre alive as well as the ones that invent through it. The creative convergences and divergences from the rom-com’s staples keep talents like Marisa Tomei, Archie Renaux, Glen Powell, and Daniel Radcliffe coming back — or hoping for a return — and pique the interest of those wanting to join the genre like Paul Mescal and Ayo Edebiri.
Of course, it’s special when those scripts that sing like poetry (When Harry Met Sally) attach themselves to actors that perfectly perform the yearning for love. That truth can co-exist with extremely formulaic rom-coms that bring a heaping side of comfort with their cheese. The genre contains multitudes. That’s why While You Were Sleeping (which I’d say exists in the former category) can inspire The Other Zoey (which I’d say is more the latter).
So, yes, you can bet I will watch Prime Video’s latest when it debuts next month. Upgraded follows Ana, “an ambitious intern dreaming of a career in the art world while trying to impress her demanding boss, Claire. When she’s upgraded to first class on a work trip, she meets handsome Will, who mistakes Ana for her boss– a white lie that sets off a glamorous chain of events, romance and opportunity, until her fib threatens to surface. It’s written by Christine Lenig and Justin Matthews & Luke Spencer Roberts and directed by Carlson Young.
The movie also stars Aimee Carrero, Thomas Kretschmann, Grégory Montel, Andrew Schulz, Rachel Matthews, Lena Olin, Fola Evans-Akingbola, and Anthony Head. After his lovable turn as Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and loathsome one as Rupert on Ted Lasso, it’s exciting to see Anthony Head fill out the supporting cast of a rom-com. Lots to look forward to!
Upgraded premieres on Friday, February 9, on Prime Video. Will you be streaming?
💌 Shelby
*Featured photo courtesy of Prime Video