Discover why The Electric State falls short despite its massive budget. Our in-depth review examines the Russo Brothers’ ambitious Netflix misfire starring Millie Bobby Brown.
In an era where streaming platforms compete for viewer attention with increasingly expensive productions, The Electric State represents Netflix’s biggest budget gamble to date at $320 million. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the minds behind some of Marvel’s biggest hits, this adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s acclaimed graphic novel promises a visual feast and compelling storytelling. Unfortunately, despite its star-studded cast and enormous budget, the film struggles to deliver on its ambitious premise.
Released on March 14, 2025, The Electric State transports viewers to an alternate 1990s America ravaged by a robot uprising. We follow Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), an orphaned teenager searching for her missing brother across a post-apocalyptic landscape. Accompanied by a yellow robot and an eccentric smuggler named Keats (Chris Pratt), her journey unfolds against visually striking but emotionally hollow backdrops.
Table of Contents
Why The Electric State Movie Fails Its Source Material
Behind The Electric State’s Massive Production
The scale of this production cannot be overstated. With its $320 million price tag, The Electric State stands among the most expensive films ever produced, not just for Netflix but for any studio. This massive investment raises important questions: Where did all that money go, and was it well spent?
| Production Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Directors | Anthony and Joe Russo |
| Main Cast | Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt |
| Supporting Cast | Woody Harrelson, Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci, Giancarlo Esposito |
| Budget | $320 million |
| Filming Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Runtime | 2 hours 8 minutes |
| Rating | PG-13 |
| Release Platform | Netflix |
The film’s visual effects are undeniably impressive in isolated moments. The Russos leveraged their experience with CGI, employing a combination of practical effects and motion capture technology to bring the robot characters to life. Yet, despite these technical achievements, the world of The Electric State often feels strangely lifeless – a beautiful but empty shell lacking the emotional resonance of the source material.
Performances: The Saving Grace?
Millie Bobby Brown delivers a committed performance as Michelle, bringing integrity and charisma to a character that often feels underwritten. Her ability to convey complex emotions with subtle expressions provides some of the film’s most genuine moments. Unfortunately, the script rarely gives her material worthy of her talents.
Chris Pratt’s portrayal of Keats, the eccentric drifter who becomes Michelle’s reluctant companion, lacks the originality and depth needed to elevate the character beyond familiar territory. Pratt relies heavily on his established screen persona – a blend of quippy humor and reluctant heroism – that feels recycled from his work in Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World.
The supporting cast, including heavyweights like Woody Harrelson (voicing Mr. Peanut), Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci, and Giancarlo Esposito, are criminally underutilized. Their talents are largely wasted in roles that feel more like extended cameos than integral parts of the narrative.
Breaking Down The Electric State Trailer: Promise vs. Reality
When The Electric State trailer first dropped, expectations were high for the Russo Brothers’ latest project. The trailer promised a visually stunning adventure with emotional depth and thrilling action. The finished product, however, tells a different story.
The Electric State trailer showcased several striking sequences that either don’t appear in the final cut or lack the impact suggested by their brief glimpses. This disconnect between marketing and delivery has become a point of frustration for many viewers who felt misled by the promotional materials.
Comparing The Electric State trailer to the finished product reveals several scenes that didn’t make the final cut, suggesting significant post-production changes. This raises questions about creative differences or last-minute alterations that may have affected the film’s overall quality.
The Russo Brothers’ Declining Output
The Electric State marks a concerning continuation of the Russo Brothers’ post-Marvel decline. After delivering the critically and commercially successful Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, their subsequent projects have received increasingly negative reviews.
| Russo Project | Year | Critical Reception | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avengers: Endgame | 2019 | Highly acclaimed (94% RT) | $356 million |
| Cherry | 2021 | Mixed reviews (37% RT) | $40 million |
| The Gray Man | 2022 | Mixed to negative (46% RT) | $200 million |
| Citadel (TV Series) | 2023 | Poorly received (53% RT) | $300 million |
| The Electric State | 2025 | Highly negative (17% RT) | $320 million |
This downward trajectory raises questions about whether the directors have lost their storytelling touch or if they’re simply struggling to find material that plays to their strengths outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
From Page to Screen: A Problematic Adaptation
The movie adaptation significantly alters the tone of Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel. The original work is known for its melancholic atmosphere, subtle storytelling, and haunting imagery. It uses minimal text to create a sense of mystery and emotional depth that lingers long after the final page.
In contrast, the film opts for a more conventional, action-oriented approach that sacrifices the nuance and ambiguity that made the source material special. The Russo brothers deliberately shifted the tone to appeal to younger audiences, with Joe Russo explaining, “We felt like the themes… are going to be most resonant and impactful with a younger audience who is more immersed in technology than an older audience.”
This decision to make the material more accessible ultimately undermines its power. By smoothing out the graphic novel’s rough edges and filling in its deliberate gaps with exposition and action sequences, the film loses the very qualities that made Stålenhag’s work unique.
The Electric State Release Date and Global Rollout Strategy
Netflix announced the movie’s release date as March 14, 2025, after several production delays. The film received a limited theatrical release in select markets before its streaming debut, a strategy Netflix has employed for its most prestigious and expensive productions.
Following The Electric State release date, the film quickly became one of Netflix’s most-watched new releases, demonstrating that curiosity and star power can drive initial viewership regardless of critical reception. However, the question remains whether this viewership justifies the enormous investment.
The Electric State release date coincided with a busy period for streaming premieres, forcing it to compete for attention with several other high-profile releases. This timing may have contributed to the mixed audience response, as viewers had many options to choose from during this crowded release window.
Final Verdict: A Beautiful Disappointment
Despite its massive budget and talented cast, The Electric State ultimately fails to deliver a compelling narrative or emotional experience.
FAQ
Will there be a second electric state?
We don’t know. Certainly, The Electric State’s ending leaves the door open for future stories in this franchise. When asked about future Electric State movies in an interview with Filmhounds, directors Joe and Anthony Russo seemed open to the idea but kept their answers vague.
Read More- The Diplomat Box Office Collection Day 1: John Abraham’s Thriller Opens to a Slow Start
