Exactly how much swearing is in this?

A lot. It's a core part of the character's vernacular. If a character is frustrated, they use the strongest words available. It's not gratuitous in the sense that it's there for shock value, but it is constant.

Is it a musical since Tim Minchin is in it?

No, it's a straight drama-comedy. There is music involved—Lucky is a musician and he's hauling a piano—but nobody breaks into song to explain their feelings. The music is diegetic and beautifully integrated.

Is the 'dying mother' plotline too depressing for kids?

For younger kids, yes. It deals with the reality of terminal illness and the regret of lost time. It’s handled with a lot of heart, but it’s definitely heavy lifting emotionally.

Is there any sexual content?

There are some mature references and situations, but it's not a 'sexy' show. The focus is almost entirely on the platonic relationship between Lucky and Meg and their respective family baggage.

Upright – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Upright

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2019

84%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A cynical musician and a foul-mouthed runaway haul a piano across the Australian desert. It's funny, heartbreaking, and surprisingly poetic.

80%

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Upright

show

18+, 2019

84%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A cynical musician and a foul-mouthed runaway haul a piano across the Australian desert. It's funny, heartbreaking, and surprisingly poetic.

80%

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80%

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Screenwise Verdict

Upright is a rare bird: a comedy that isn't afraid to be devastating and a drama that doesn't forget to be funny. Tim Minchin and Milly Alcock have incredible chemistry, turning what could have been a gimmicky road-trip premise into a high-stakes emotional journey.

Don't let the 'piano in the desert' pitch fool you into thinking this is a whimsical indie flick. It’s got teeth. It's gritty, loud, and often quite sad, but it rewards you with a level of sincerity that's hard to find in modern TV. If your kids are young, skip it. If they're nearly out the door for college, watch it with them.

Age Fit

This is strictly for older teens (15+) and adults. The humor is sophisticated and dark, and the language is as blue as the Australian sky. It's a great 'watch-together' for parents and high schoolers who can handle mature themes.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While it deals with heavy family trauma and features a lot of rough edges, the core is a deeply moving story about connection and redemption.

Imaginative

The premise of hauling an upright piano across the Australian desert is inspired, turning a standard road trip into a lyrical, slightly absurd quest.

Safe

This is adult-skewing television. Expect frequent 'f-bombs,' mature themes surrounding death and abandonment, and some gritty outback situations.

Enriching

Superb writing that explores grief and unlikely friendships with genuine wit and emotional intelligence. It's a masterclass in character development.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Tim Minchin's performance and writing are sharp, avoiding the usual 'sad-sack' tropes for something much more human.
Milly Alcock (before she was a Targaryen) is a revelation as Meg, bringing a fierce, defensive energy that perfectly balances Minchin's cynicism.
The soundtrack and cinematography turn the Australian outback into a character of its own, making the journey feel both epic and intimate.
It manages to be genuinely funny without undermining the very real emotional stakes of a dying parent and a runaway child.

⚠

What to Watch For

The swearing is constant and very Australian. If you're sensitive to the 'C-word' or frequent 'f-bombs,' this isn't the show for you.
Meg is a runaway with some dark family history; certain scenes involving her past or her interactions with creepy strangers can be tense.
Lucky's family dynamic is toxic and messy, which might hit close to home for anyone dealing with their own 'family outcast' status.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Lucky is so obsessed with getting that specific piano across the country?"
"Meg and Lucky are both 'running away' from something—who do you think is doing a better job of it?"
"Is it possible to forgive family members who have genuinely hurt you, or is moving on enough?"
"How does the harsh environment of the outback change the way Lucky and Meg have to rely on each other?"

Deep Dive

The Anti-Road Trip

We've seen the 'mismatched pair in a car' story a thousand times, but Upright manages to make it feel fresh by leaning into the physical absurdity of the piano. It’s not just a prop; it’s a burden, a memory, and a literal weight that Lucky is dragging across the continent. This isn't a show about 'finding yourself' in a shallow, Eat-Pray-Love kind of way. It’s about the heavy lifting required to face your past.

A Star is Born (Again)

While Tim Minchin is the big name here, Milly Alcock is the engine. Her portrayal of Meg is a masterclass in 'teenage girl as a defensive weapon.' She’s foul-mouthed and aggressive because the world hasn't been particularly kind to her, and watching the slow thaw between her and Lucky is the show's greatest strength. They don't become a surrogate father-daughter duo in a cheesy way; they become two people who finally found someone else who speaks their specific brand of 'broken.'

Australian Grit

The show captures the specific isolation of the Australian outback—the heat, the flies, and the weird, isolated characters you meet at roadhouses. It shares some DNA with The End of the F**ing World*, but it feels more grounded and less stylized. It's a story for anyone who has ever felt like the black sheep of the family and wondered if it was too late to go back and fix things.

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