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The Electric State’: Russo Brothers’ Sci-Fi Film Divides Critics

The Netflix adaptation of Simon Stålenhag's illustrated novel features a star-studded cast but faces criticism for its lack of emotional depth and originality.

Millie Bobby Brown as Michelle in “The Electric State.”
Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), Cosmo (voiced by Alan Tudyk), Keats (Chris Pratt) and Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie) in “The Electric State.”
Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown with robot friends on The Electric State poster.

Overview

  • The Electric State, directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, is now streaming on Netflix and reportedly cost $320 million to produce.
  • The film stars Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, and Ke Huy Quan, with a voice cast including Anthony Mackie, Woody Harrelson, and Brian Cox.
  • Set in an alternate 1994, the story follows a teenager on a journey to find her missing brother in a post-robot uprising world.
  • Critics have praised the film's visual effects and production design but criticized its reliance on tropes, weak character development, and lack of narrative innovation.
  • The movie is adapted from Simon Stålenhag's acclaimed novel but has been noted for failing to capture the source material’s emotional depth and haunting atmosphere.