Netflix’s latest mega-budget blockbuster, The Electric State, has all the ingredients of a sci-fi epic—big stars, a dystopian setting, and mind-bending technology.
Directed by the Russo brothers (Avengers: Endgame fame), the film brings Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt together in a visually ambitious adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s illustrated novel.
But does it live up to expectations, or is it just another flashy misfire? Buckle up, because this ride is anything but smooth!
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The Plot: Mind-Blowing Tech, a Dystopian Road Trip, and… Mr. Peanut?
Set in an alternate 1990s, The Electric State imagines a world wrecked by a war between humans and robots.
The battle was won thanks to Ethan Skate (Chris Pratt), the CEO of Sentre, whose Neurocaster technology allows people to upload their consciousness into drone robots. The result? A society where humans live virtually while machines handle reality. Sounds great, right? Yeah, not so much.
Fast-forward to 1994, where we meet Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), a rebellious teen stuck with her miserable foster dad. When she refuses to conform to the Neurocaster lifestyle at school, she stumbles upon a shocking truth—her parents are dead.
But that’s not the only surprise. Enter Cosmo, a mysterious robotic companion who claims to be the reincarnation of her genius younger brother, Christopher.
Determined to uncover the truth, Michelle embarks on a perilous road trip across a dystopian America, joined by Keats (a former soldier with a murky past), Herman (a sentient robot), and a crew of outcast machines led by the delightfully named Mr. Peanut.
Along the way, they uncover the sinister reality behind Sentre’s technology: Christopher didn’t just die—he was kidnapped by Skate, who exploited his intelligence to power the Neurocaster system.
Cue the high-stakes infiltration of Sentre HQ!
Michelle, with the help of her ragtag team, finds Christopher’s consciousness trapped in the system. Their emotional reunion ends with a heartbreaking decision—Michelle unplugs Christopher, freeing him from his exploited existence, but at the cost of his physical life.
The shutdown of the Neurocaster system topples Sentre’s control, leading to Skate’s arrest and a world forced to rebuild.
And just when you think it’s over, a final scene hints that a part of Christopher might still live on within Cosmo. Sequel bait, anyone?
The Verdict: A $320M Gamble with a Rotten Score
With a rumored budget of $320 million (though Netflix keeps mum on that), The Electric State is one of the most expensive streaming films ever. But does all that cash translate into cinematic gold? According to critics, not really.
The reviews have been, well, brutal. The Times called it “a turgid eyesore” and The Hollywood Reporter dismissed it as “slick but dismally soulless.”
Paste Magazine roasted the film for being “one hell of an artistically neutered, sanitized boondoggle.” And let’s not forget The New York Times, which just flat-out labeled it “obvious, garish, and dumb.” Ouch.
Still, there are a few defenders in the mix. Empire found it “breezily watchable” (three stars), and The Telegraph gave it a generous four-star rating, calling it a “Spielbergian treat.”
But with a dismal 15% Rotten Tomatoes score, let’s just say The Electric State won’t be winning any Best Picture Oscars.
Flop or Streaming Success?
Here’s the kicker—bad reviews don’t seem to matter much in the age of streaming. The Electric State blasted straight to number one on Netflix’s charts, proving that subscribers love a star-packed, effects-heavy spectacle, even if critics hate it.
Would it have flopped in theaters? Probably. But on Netflix, where millions of people are just looking for an entertaining escape, it might just be another hit in the vein of Red Notice—critically panned but widely watched.
At the end of the day, The Electric State is a high-stakes bet on sci-fi spectacle. Love it or hate it, it’s proof that in the streaming wars, sheer watchability often beats artistic merit.
So, is it worth watching? If you’re into dazzling visuals, robot uprisings, and a bit of existential drama—sure, why not? Just don’t expect it to blow your mind (unless, of course, you’re plugged into a Neurocaster).
