The Electric State Review: Did Netflix Just Waste $300M?

I’m going to be honest. When I saw the Russo Brothers were helming The Electric State, armed with a $300 million budget and backed by Netflix, my curiosity meter skyrocketed. Were they about to deliver a sci-fi masterpiece, or would this be yet another high-budget misfire? Well, I hate to say it, but by the end credits, I found myself staring blankly at the screen, wondering how they turned such potential into two hours of overcooked clichés and dazzling emptiness.

A Road Trip Across 1994, But Somehow Missing a Map

The story is supposed to feel profound. It’s set in an alternate 1994, a version of history where robots—introduced to society by none other than Walt Disney—decided they weren’t too keen on their human overlords.

After a brutal war, humanity won (barely), and the remnants of civilization retreated into neuro-casters: virtual reality devices that let people live as drone avatars instead of dealing with their bleak reality. Intriguing, right? Well, it should have been.

Enter Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), our protagonist, a sassy, bad-tempered teen on a mission to find her missing brother—or at least, that’s what we’re told. The plot kicks off when she’s joined by Kid Cosmo, a robot who claims to be her brother (just roll with it), and together, they embark on a road trip through a dystopian wasteland.

Along the way, they’re joined by Keats (Chris Pratt), a relic-runner-turned-sidekick, and Herm (Anthony Mackie), the comic relief robot who fumbles his way through the narrative. Oh, and let’s not forget Giancarlo Esposito as “The Butcher,” a military big shot who is as menacing as a lukewarm cup of tea.

The Cast: Big Names, Little Impact

I wish I could say the performances saved this movie. Millie Bobby Brown tries her best, but she’s given little more than scowls and one-liners to work with. Chris Pratt? He plays the same cocky, predictable character he always does, and while it’s not bad, it’s certainly not fresh. Anthony Mackie and Giancarlo Esposito are wasted in roles that feel like afterthoughts.

The one saving grace? Stanley Tucci as Ethan Skate, the industrialist responsible for humanity’s survival. Tucci doesn’t just chew the scenery; he practically devours it, giving us one of the few memorable performances in a movie otherwise devoid of life.

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Actor	Role	Performance Verdict
Millie Bobby Brown	Michelle	Strong presence, but lacks depth
Chris Pratt	Keats	A typical Pratt character, predictable
Anthony Mackey	Herm	Fun but underutilized
Giancarlo Esposito	The Butcher	Wasted potential
Stanley Tucci	Ethan Skate	The standout performance

Visuals to Die For… and That’s About It

Okay, I’ll give credit where it’s due: The Electric State is a visual feast. The exclusion zone, with its abandoned cities and looming robot husks, looks like something pulled straight out of a Simon Stålenhag painting.

The cyberpunk aesthetic is gorgeous, with neon signs flickering against smog-filled skies and crumbling skyscrapers that feel both eerie and beautiful.

But here’s the thing: Great visuals alone don’t make a great movie. After a while, even the most stunning landscapes start to lose their impact when the story dragging you through them is a mess.

The Russo Brothers: Lost in the Post-Marvel Wilderness

You’d think the directors of Avengers: Endgame would know how to craft an emotional, crowd-pleasing blockbuster. And yet, post-MCU, the Russos seem adrift. With The Electric State, they aim for a Spielbergian adventure but land somewhere between Ready Player One and a watered-down episode of Stranger Things.

There are hints of satire and self-awareness early on, but the movie quickly abandons those in favor of tired action sequences and “Hey, remember this?” nostalgia.

A Script That Tries Too Hard and Fails Anyway

Here’s the real issue: the script is a mess. For a movie with such heavy themes—technology vs. humanity, post-war trauma, the dangers of escapism—it barely scratches the surface.

Instead, it leans into clichés and overly sentimental moments that feel forced and hollow. And don’t even get me started on the dialogue. At one point, a robot spouts a one-liner so cringe-worthy that I audibly groaned.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Stunning visuals	Weak script, full of clichés
Great production design	Unmemorable characters
Stanley Tucci’s performance	Tries too hard to be nostalgic
Some fun action scenes	Lacks emotional depth
Expensive-looking, but forgettable	Expensive-looking but forgettable

The Final Verdict: Eye Candy Without the Soul

So, is The Electric State worth watching? If you’re a sci-fi junkie who loves dystopian visuals and doesn’t mind turning your brain off for two hours, go ahead. But if you’re looking for a compelling story, memorable characters, or emotional depth, don’t get your hopes up.

It’s the kind of movie that looks expensive—and it is—but leaves you wondering how it managed to feel so cheap.

FAQs

1. Is The Electric State adapted from a book?
   Yes, it’s an adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s 2018 graphic novel with the same title.
2. Is the film like Ready Player One?
   Yes, it’s quite similar, particularly in its dystopian world and heavy reliance on nostalgia.
3. Does the film have a post-credits scene?
   No, there isn’t any post-credits scene.
4. Is The Electric State worth watching?
   If you enjoy visually pleasing sci-fi, it could be worth a viewing. But if you are looking for a rich story, you might be let down.
5. Where to watch The Electric State?
   The movie is streaming only on Netflix.