While Anthony and Joe Russo and Marvel have been a match made in comic heaving, resulting in the highly popular and profitable Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Infinity War and Captain America: Civil War, it seems that the Russo Brothers other collaborations might not be as successful as you would expect. After The Grey Man, which got a lukewarm reception, the directors are now teaming up again with Netflix for their latest feature. Will this be the collaboration both the streaming service and the Russo Brothers are looking for, or is the creative spark yet again missing in The Electric State? The answer lies somewhere in the middle.
The film takes you to a 1990 futuristic America, in which robots have been rebelling against humans, resulting in an all-destructive war and the societal collapse with the robots as victors. Two years after the catastrophic events, tech giant and CEO of Sentre, Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci) develop his highly innovative technological piece-the-resistance, the Neurocaster, which enables humans to operate humanoid drones remotely. What starts as war tools to even out the power balance and defeat the robotic forces ultimately becomes a worldwide consumer product, allowing everyone to experience life through their drones. Being in two places at once has never been this easy. However, as we all know, while technology can improve our lives, it can also be used by dark forces to cause havoc and destruction. How far will Skate go for world domination?
If the script by Christopher Markus (Avengers: Endgame, Captain America: The First Avenger) and Stephen McFeely (Avengers: Infinity War, Captain America: The First Avenger) sounds absurd, over-the-top or recycled, then that’s because it’s all of that. It’s not only a loose adaption of the 2018 illustrated novel of the same name by Simon Stålenhag but also because elements such as AI, human-controlled drones and the usage of (ridiculously looking) VR headsets have already been the centre of many film scripts.
The making of The Electric State took more than six years – due to the massive amount of CGI, the combination of live-action and animation and distributing problems – and if the movie had been released a few years ago, it would have been much more groundbreaking. Now it feels too familiar and recycled, It seems that the only reasons why Skate’s storyline was included in this story are because it gives the ever-captivating Tucci (Supernova, Conclave) a chance to show his much more sinister and menacing side finally and because it’s a good starting point for the more emotional and human second storyline.
With that much more touching plotline, the Russo Brothers succeed in breathing new life into a concept that has been done so many times. We not only follow how Skate is focused on taking the ultimate power but also how teenage orphan Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) is trying to come to terms with the devastating consequences of the brutal warfare that happened years ago. She has lost her entire family – including her younger brother Christopher (Woody Norman) – and since then, her world has been bleak, dark and isolated.
However, when a robot named Cosmo visits her, it seems her darkest days are finally over. Cosmo reveals that he’s being controlled by Christopher, who needs rescue. With determination and hope Michelle and Cosmo set off on a dangerous adventure to save him. Throughout their life-changing and challenging journey, they encounter many allies, including Keats (Chris Pratt), Mr. Peanut and Penny Pal, but they also have to face their worst enemies. Can Michelle save Christopher, or will she have to say a heartbreaking goodbye for the second time?
While the nostalgic soundtrack, including I Will Survive, Don’t Stop Believin’ and Breaking the Law, and the futuristic and colourful visuals and sometimes cartoonish robots are clearly the filmmakers’ primary focus, the compelling human storyline is the best-executed element. Indeed, that nostalgic 1990s charming vibe, the uncanny realism, the shifting colour palette and the ultra-detailed set design add the necessary depth, warmth and entertainment to the feature, but it’s the acting that’s the true heart of this film.
The journey Michelle has already been on and the one she’s about to embark on are both filled with a lot of pain, devastation, and personal loss but also immense determination and hope. With her wonderful performance, Brown (Stranger Things, Enola Holmes 2) ensures you can feel her character’s willpower and fragility, despite her rough-tough, indestructible grunge look. Brown might provide the emotions, but Pratt (and his playful mechanical companion Herman, voiced by Captain America: Brave New World‘s Anthony Mackie) elevates The Electric State’s humoristic level with his usual charisma and wit. It’s a shame, though, that Pratt’s character is one like we’ve seen many times. ‘The kind-hearted, goofy, loveable dork’ has been done so many times by Pratt – wonderfully nevertheless – but it would have been nice to see another side of the Guardians of the Galaxy and Parks and Recreation actor.
The voice cast is equally spectacular as the actors we see on-screen. However, because there are so many, including Woody Harrelson (Last Breath, Palmetto), Jenny Slate (Marcel The Shell With Shoes On, Everything Everywhere All At Once) and Brian Cox (Succession, Troy), none of them truly gets the chance to shine and make an impression. While they’re trying their best to give the metallic objects a unique personality, they don’t fully succeed.
Is this latest Russo Brothers’ feature worth its reported price tag of $320 million and the title of Netflix’s most expensive film? No, absolutely not. The budget certainly could have been used to create other and more unique movies. However, does that mean it’s a bad film? Certainly not. While it takes a while to get over the weird premises and while the film offers nothing new under the sun, the bold climax, Brown’s solid performance, and Pratt’s charisma ensure that The Electric State guarantees an entertaining, enjoyable night in.
The Electric State is out on Netflix from March 14, 2025.
Is this latest Russo Brothers' feature worth its reported price tag of $320 million and the title of Netflix's most expensive film? No, absolutely not. The budget certainly could have been used to create other and more unique movies. However, does that mean it's a bad film? Certainly not.
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Subtitle translator by day. Film journalist by night.
