The Electric State (Full Movie 2025)
The Electric State (2025): A Visually Stunning but Hollow Sci-Fi Adventure
The Electric State (2025), directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, is a Netflix sci-fi action-adventure film adapted from Simon Stålenhag’s 2018 illustrated novel. With a star-studded cast led by Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, and a staggering $320 million budget, the film promises a thrilling journey through a retro-futuristic 1990s America. However, despite its impressive visuals and ambitious premise, The Electric State falls short, delivering a predictable plot and underdeveloped characters. Here’s a breakdown of the film’s highs and lows.
Plot Summary
Set in an alternate 1990s where a war between humans and sentient robots has left society fractured, The Electric State follows Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), an orphaned teenager searching for her presumed-dead brother, Christopher (Woody Norman). Guided by a mysterious robot, Cosmo (voiced by Alan Tudyk), Michelle teams up with Keats (Chris Pratt), a smuggler, and his wisecracking robot sidekick, Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie). Their cross-country journey through a dystopian American Southwest uncovers a conspiracy tied to Neurocaster technology, which allows humans to upload their minds into drones. The film explores themes of technology’s impact, human connection, and prejudice, but struggles to delve deeply into these ideas.
Strengths of the Film
Stunning Visuals and World-Building
The film’s $320 million budget shines in its CGI and production design. The retro-futuristic landscape, blending 1990s aesthetics with decayed warships and quirky robot designs, creates an immersive world. Robots like Mr. Peanut (voiced by Woody Harrelson) and Penny Pal (Jenny Slate) add charm with their cartoonish, non-humanoid appearances, emphasizing the divide between humans and machines. Critics have praised the visual effects as a highlight, making the film a feast for the eyes.
Heartfelt Moments and Performances
Millie Bobby Brown delivers a solid performance as Michelle, capturing her character’s vulnerability and determination. Her emotional scenes, particularly those tied to her brother, carry weight and provide the film’s few heartfelt moments. The voice cast, including Anthony Mackie, Jenny Slate, and Giancarlo Esposito, brings energy to the robots, with Mackie’s Herman stealing scenes with snappy dialogue. While Chris Pratt’s Keats feels like a rehash of his familiar “lovable rogue” persona, he adds charm, if not depth.
Weaknesses and Criticisms
Predictable and Generic Plot
Despite its intriguing setup, The Electric State leans on a familiar, formulaic structure that fails to take risks. Critics have called the story “generic” and “seen-it-all-before,” noting its reliance on clichés over originality. The film starts strong but loses depth, shifting to a simplistic narrative that feels childish at times. Its attempt to balance serious themes with quirky humor creates a tonal disconnect, leaving it unsure of its audience.
Deviation from Source Material
Fans of Stålenhag’s novel, known for its melancholy and elliptical storytelling, may be disappointed. The film trades the book’s bleak, introspective tone for a louder, action-packed spectacle. Reviewers have criticized this shift, with some calling the adaptation “obvious, garish, and just plain dumb” compared to the novel’s nuanced exploration of consumerism and escapism. The Russo brothers’ maximalist style overshadows the source’s quiet beauty, resulting in a “soulless” product.
Underdeveloped Characters and Themes
The script, by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, struggles to flesh out its ensemble. Characters like Stanley Tucci’s villainous Ethan Skate and Giancarlo Esposito’s Col. Bradbury lack clear motivations, with Tucci’s role feeling particularly one-dimensional. The film raises themes of robot prejudice and technology’s dangers but doesn’t explore them deeply, relying on exposition-heavy dialogue to move the plot. Critics have noted the cast often seems disengaged, with performances feeling like “reading lines without enthusiasm.”
Reception and Impact
The Electric State has been met with harsh critical reviews, debuting at 14% on Rotten Tomatoes (146 reviews) with a 3.7/10 average. Critics have labeled it a “turgid eyesore” and “artistically neutered,” with its $320 million budget fueling outrage over its lack of substance. On X, sentiments echo this, with posts calling it the Russo brothers’ “worst film yet” and a “$320 million dud.” However, audience reception is more mixed, with a 73% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter. Some viewers, especially families, found it “breezily watchable” and “heartwarming,” enjoying its visuals and light tone. The film amassed 25.2 million views in its first three days on Netflix, though this is lower than other Russo-directed Netflix films like The Gray Man.
Is It Worth Watching?
The Electric State (2025) is a visually dazzling but narratively shallow sci-fi adventure. Fans of Millie Bobby Brown or light, family-friendly action may enjoy its spectacle and occasional humor, especially if watched with low expectations. However, those hoping for a faithful adaptation of Stålenhag’s novel or a thought-provoking story will likely feel let down. Stream it on Netflix (released March 14, 2025) for its impressive robots and visuals, but don’t expect a classic. For a deeper experience, consider reading the original novel instead.