The Electric State (2025) is a visually ambitious sci-fi adventure directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, adapted from Simon Stålenhag’s celebrated illustrated novel. Starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, the film unfolds across an alternate 1990s America, featuring a post-robot uprising world filled with nostalgia, neon-lit landscapes, and a quest to reunite with lost family. Despite a massive $320 million budget, it arrives on Netflix as a case study in big-budget ambition gone awry.

Story & Structure

Michelle (Brown) travels across a dystopian cyber-wasteland with her unlikely companions: a sentient robot, a rugged smuggler (Pratt), and others, in search of her missing brother. The film weaves a rich tapestry of retro-futuristic visuals and heartfelt intent, aiming for an adventurous metaphor on technology, human connection, and memory.

Cast & Crews Highlights

• Millie Bobby Brown anchors the emotional core as Michelle.
• Chris Pratt brings charm as the morally gray smuggler.
• A star-studded ensemble includes Ke Huy Quan, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Giancarlo Esposito, and more.
• Russos direct, with Alan Silvestri’s nostalgic score complementing Stephen F. Windon’s sweeping cinematography.

Critical & Audience Response

Strong Quotes & Critiques:

• Critics have labeled The Electric State a “$320 million piece of junk” and “soulless,” pointing to its underdeveloped characters and derivative storytelling.
• Business Insider deemed it a costly flop, noting its 17% Rotten Tomatoes score.
• AP News dubbed it visually impressive yet emotionally flat and repetitive.
• Entertainment writers and commentators echoed the sentiment: high production values but deeply uninspired.

Viewer Reactions:

• Many Reddit users criticized its momentum and disconnect from the deeper themes of its source novel. “A nostalgic dream, visually stunning… but pacing is a mess.”
  “$320 million down the drain.”

Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic reflect this with scores around 15–20% from critics, with audience scores slightly higher but still lukewarm.

Why The Electric State Falls Short

The film had all the elements of a visual spectacle but lacked emotional coherence. Its compelling set design and nostalgic tech aesthetics couldn’t compensate for bigger writing and pacing issues. The result: a blockbuster that feels formulaic, hollow, and disconnected, despite glimmers of its potential.

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