The Electric State Review: A High-Budget Gamble Gone Wrong
Netflix’s The Electric State had all the ingredients for a sci-fi masterpiece—an enormous $320 million budget, a star-studded cast, and the visually rich foundation of Simon Stålenhag’s acclaimed illustrated novel. Yet, instead of a cinematic triumph, it delivers an underwhelming, CGI-heavy spectacle that struggles to justify its price tag.
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the film is an attempt at dystopian adventure, but it ultimately lacks the emotional weight and visual depth that made Stålenhag’s work so compelling. It’s yet another example of how blockbuster filmmaking, when driven by algorithms and spectacle rather than storytelling, fails to resonate with audiences.
Plot Overview: A Compelling Premise, Poor Execution
The film is set in an alternate 1990s America, where society is crumbling after a devastating war against sentient robots. The remnants of humanity are trapped in a VR-addicted existence controlled by a ruthless tech mogul, Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci).
At the center of the story is Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), a teenage girl searching for her missing younger brother. She embarks on a dangerous cross-country journey, accompanied by a mysterious robot companion and a smuggler named Keats (Chris Pratt).
While the premise is strong, the film’s execution reduces a thought-provoking concept to a formulaic road trip adventure. The depth, nuance, and melancholic beauty of Stålenhag’s original vision are completely lost in favor of action-heavy set pieces, predictable emotional beats, and an overuse of CGI.
What Went Wrong?
1. The Russo Brothers’ Direction Feels Stale
The Russo Brothers once proved their ability to handle blockbuster-scale storytelling with Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, but their recent projects (The Gray Man, Cherry) suggest a decline in creative energy.
Instead of innovating or taking risks, they fall back on predictable Hollywood formulas. The Electric State lacks a distinct identity, feeling like a patchwork of other sci-fi films (but done worse). The movie struggles to decide if it wants to be a dystopian epic, a sentimental drama, or a wise-cracking buddy adventure, ultimately failing at all three.
2. Wasted Cast, Forgettable Characters
Despite an impressive ensemble, the characters feel one-dimensional and uninspired:
| Actor | Role | Review |
|---|---|---|
| Millie Bobby Brown | Michelle | Delivers a solid performance, but the weak script limits her emotional range. |
| Chris Pratt | Keats | Plays a cocky action hero—this time with a slightly scruffier look, but still indistinguishable from his previous roles. |
| Stanley Tucci | Ethan Skate | Plays the stereotypical evil tech billionaire, lacking any real menace or depth. |
| Woody Harrelson | Mr. Peanut (Robot) | Somehow both the funniest and most tragic part of the film. |
| Anthony Mackie, Alan Tudyk, Jenny Slate, Brian Cox | Various Minor Roles | All wasted in minor roles that offer little beyond exposition dumps. |
| Giancarlo Esposito | Robo-Bounty Hunter | Has a moment of true audience relatability when he simply shuts down out of sheer exhaustion—which might be the most accurate audience reaction to this movie. |
3. Dull Visuals & Overuse of CGI
For a film based on one of the most visually striking sci-fi books of the last decade, The Electric State is shockingly generic:
- Flat color palettes strip the world of any visual personality.
- The CGI environments feel lifeless, replacing the hauntingly detailed landscapes of Stålenhag’s paintings with bland, artificial-looking sets.
- The action sequences lack intensity, feeling choreographed and uninspired.
- This is a stunning misfire, especially considering that Stålenhag’s original work is defined by its eerie, melancholic aesthetic—something completely lost in translation here.
4. Shallow Themes & Missed Opportunities
explore them in a meaningful way. Instead of offering a thought-provoking narrative, it reduces complex ideas to surface-level plot devices. Below is a breakdown of how the movie mishandles its core themes:
| Theme | Issue in the Movie |
|---|---|
| Corporate Greed, AI Ethics, Technological Addiction | The movie flirts with these deep themes but never commits to exploring them meaningfully. |
| VR Addiction & Isolation | Instead of examining its effects, the film reduces it to a simple villain plot device. |
| AI & Robotics | Originally symbols of technological overreach in the novel, they are just generic action elements here. |
| Emotional Stakes | The stakes never feel real, making it hard to care about the journey. |
| Overall Depth | The film pretends to have depth but is ultimately just a hollow sci-fi adventure. |
The Book vs. The Movie: What Went Wrong in Adaptation?
Stålenhag’s The Electric State is a quiet, meditative reflection on technology and loss, told through hauntingly surreal illustrations. The story isn’t action-driven—it’s about memory, decay, and the consequences of technological ambition.
In contrast, the Russo Brothers’ adaptation:
- Strips away the emotional depth
- Replaces quiet tension with loud action
- Focuses more on spectacle than storytelling
This isn’t an adaptation; it’s a reinvention that completely misunderstands its source material.
Missed Potential: How The Electric State Could Have Been Great
To truly honor Stålenhag’s work, the film needed:
| How *The Electric State* Could Have Been Better | Improvement Needed |
|---|---|
| More Character Depth | Michelle’s journey should have been a personal exploration of loss, rather than a rushed adventure. |
| A Stronger Aesthetic | The movie should have embraced the bleak, surreal landscapes of the novel instead of generic CGI backdrops. |
| A Slower, More Thoughtful Pace | Less action, more existential dread, and emotional weight. |
Had it followed these principles, The Electric State could have been a genre-defining sci-fi film—instead, it’s just another forgettable streaming release.
Final Verdict: A Forgettable Sci-Fi Blockbuster
For a movie about the importance of human connection, The Electric State feels soulless.
Instead of being a visually stunning, emotionally resonant experience, it’s just another algorithm-generated blockbuster that Netflix hopes will keep subscribers engaged.
⭐ Final Rating: 2.5/5
| Should You Watch It? | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Watch if | You enjoy big-budget sci-fi adventures, even if they lack depth. |
| Skip if | You’re looking for thought-provoking, visually stunning sci-fi. |
| Better Alternatives | Why Watch? |
|---|---|
| Blade Runner 2049 | For stunning visuals and deep themes. |
| Children of Men | For a gripping dystopian narrative. |
| Her | For an emotional AI-driven story. |
Netflix’s Blockbuster Strategy: Is It Failing?
The Electric State raises a bigger question: Is Netflix’s blockbuster-first strategy failing?
With expensive misfires like Red Notice, The Gray Man, and now The Electric State, it’s clear that massive budgets don’t guarantee quality. If Netflix wants to compete with theatrical releases, it needs to invest in storytelling, not just spectacle.
What’s Your Take?
Did you watch The Electric State? Did it live up to expectations, or was it another overhyped Netflix flop? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of TN HEADLINES24. TN HEADLINES24 is not responsible for any interpretations, reactions, or decisions made based on this review. Readers are encouraged to form their own opinions after watching the film.
