Up Here - A Hulu Series Review

Ignore your demons and go live your dreams.

Up Here is a 2023 Hulu series. Not happy with her life, Lindsay breaks off her engagement and moves to New York City to discover her dream as a writer. Meeting Miguel, the two fall in love. However, their relationship has challenges, making it hard to connect.

I loved Up Here. We don’t have many musical dramas right now. Fearing it would mess it up, the show had the right direction. Up Here is a little hokey, but it’s unique compared to other shows. With excellent performances guided by the main cast, Up Here is a clever series that asks viewers to overlook their demons and go after their dreams.

The show obtained two very talented actors. Mae Whitman and Carlos Valdes did a remarkable job in their roles. I have seen Whitman in other films, like The Perks of Being a Wall Flower. I knew she was a fabulous actress but I did not realize she was a talented singer. The series could have invested more in her character, specifically about her past and why she came to love writing.

Valdes was excellent on his part. Keeping emotions behind steel barriers, Miguel is afraid of showing his true self and contributing his ideas to the world. Men aren’t given enough chances to express vulnerability due to societal norms. Valdes conquers a bold performance that male audiences need.

Adjusting to a relationship, Lindsay and Miguel have difficulty letting go of their demons. While they share adorable moments, we witness a handful of arguments. No relationship goes without one. They avoid opening up about their lives, fearing how they’ll be judged.

How much do we really know about anyone? Better yet, how much do we want to tell someone about our lives? Opening up about inner battles is hard in any relationship. This series made me think about my relationships and how we’ve connected over time.

Remember how an angel or a demon appeared on each of your shoulders in the cartoons? The people whom Lindsay and Miguel have conflicts with appear as invisible figures (AKA voices in the head). During their happiest moments, they interject shameful comments subjecting doubts about their dreams.

The actors in these roles were terrific in delivering this assignment, spatting every annoying remark when the characters endeavor to enjoy their lives. We’ve all had these moments at some point in our lives. Words stick like glue. However, you must ignore negative outlooks.

This is the most relatable aspect of the show. Once adulthood arrives, we are free to make our own decisions. As exciting as that sounds, it’s daunting because you never know if the right decision will lead to the wrong pathway.

Embarking on a unique take for the series, Steven Levenson did a great job prioritizing the show’s musical angle. Songs are well-rehearsed along with the dance numbers, reflecting our inner demons. The lyrics to songs were quite dark when I listened to them again. To my surprise, it’s an emotional series.

The show had a great writing team. Some aspects of the show deserved more substantial edits. I forgot that this series is in 1999, so more research into the period was needed.

As a whole, Up Here is an inspiring coming-of-age series for adults. It kept me engaged while on was on the treadmill. There aren’t a lot of musical TV shows right now, so I hope Up Here opens the door for more. I highly recommend that you take a look at Up Here. It’s streaming on Hulu.