The Electric State on Netflix – Should You Watch It?

The Electric State is a science fiction/action film written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely and directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. The film is an adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s 2018 illustrated novel, The Electric State. The movie had its world premiere on February 24, 2025, at Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

The film was released on Netflix on March 14, 2025 and is currently available for streaming. There is a video game based on the film, which was released on iOS and Android by Netflix Games. The video game was released on March 18, 2025, and is called “Kid Cosmo”.

The movie carries a PG-13 rating, making it suitable for a teenage audience and above. It has a running time of 2 hours and 8 minutes.

On 23rd March 2025, Electric State ranked number 1 of the top 10 movies on Netflix.

THE PREMISE

Set in a retro-futuristic version of late 1990s America. The Electric State follows Michelle, an orphaned teenager, who embarks on a journey in a stolen car. Accompanied by a mysterious, outlawed robot and an eccentric drifter, Michelle searches for her younger brother amidst the remnants of a society where sentient robots, once integrated into human life and normally part of everyday life for decades, now live in exile.

The robots became conscious enough to advocate for their own rights, which sparked a war with humans. Humans were on the verge of losing, then enter tech mogul Ethan Skate, whose breakthrough in neural links allowed humans to pilot mechanised bodies and turn the tide. The robots lost, and their survivors were banished to an exclusion zone in the desert.

CAST AND PERFORMANCES

Millie Bobby Brown as Michelle

Known for her roles in Stranger Things and Enola Holmes, Brown portrays Michelle with a blend of determination and vulnerability. Her performance captures the essence of a young woman navigating a complex world. She brought her character to life and was great in both the action and emotional scenes.

Chris Pratt as Keats

Pratt plays Keats, a smuggler who assists Michelle on her quest. His portrayal adds a touch of humour and charisma, reminiscent of his previous roles. However, the character’s development is limited, leaving Pratt with little material to elevate his performance.

Stanley Tucci as Ethan Skate

He portrayed a tech mogul whose breakthrough technology allowed humans defeat the robots. He is cold-hearted and lacks empathy and he nails this role with his acting.

Supporting Cast:

The film features notable actors such as Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, and voices from Anthony Mackie and Billy Bob Thornton.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE MOVIE

Graphics and Cinematography

The visual effects in The Electric State are impressive, effectively blending computer-generated imagery (CGI) robots with live-action settings. The film successfully creates a post-apocalyptic world filled with intriguing landscapes and robot designs that pay homage to classic sci-fi aesthetics. Also, I am seriously in love with the design of the robots – I think my top favourites are Herm, Penny, and Peanut.

The film’s attention to detail is evident in its depiction of a retro-futuristic landscape. This fusion creates a unique aesthetic that is both familiar and intriguing.

Music

Great music and a nostalgic throwback to the ’90s. It’s a refreshing change from so much of what we see today.

The Cast

Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown delivered amazing performances as always, and their robotic companions are wonderfully done, possibly a little too well, as Herm steals the show. The synergy between the characters and the cohesive story makes this one of my favourite movies of the year so far.

Positive message

This movie is amazing for a family night and teaches a valuable lesson, which is to be present and enjoy time with the people around you while you can.

WHAT DIDN’T WORK

Weak plot

The budget was massive, but something about the execution felt off. It’s visually stunning, no doubt—but the story itself felt a bit too simplistic, almost like it was meant for kids. I guess I was expecting something darker, more immersive.

The plot is very predictable; there’s zero depth or originality. The action wasn’t top tier, just serviceable.

Slow Pacing and Poor Character Development

Despite its visual strengths, the film struggles with pacing and character development. Additionally, the script’s clunky dialogue and one-dimensional characters detract from the overall experience, making it challenging to connect with the protagonists’ journey.

This film has a fascinating world and amazing robot designs, but the story is so generic it hurts. Despite the star-studded lineup, many supporting characters were underutilised, resulting in performances that, while competent, don’t leave a lasting impression.

Missing scenes and plot holes

There is a huge continuity crisis to dump on the audience right at the start, especially between the first scene and its following scene.

There are some scenes that could have thrown more light into the protagonist’s journey but were completely missed, such as scenes from the war, scenes from the accident that claimed her family’s life – why was she on an ankle monitor? What happened?

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Electric State presents a visually captivating world with a promising premise but falls short in execution. While the film offers moments of spectacle, its lack of depth in storytelling and character development prevents it from becoming a memorable sci-fi epic.

The movie is a testament to the power of cinema to entertain, provoke thought, and connect with audiences on a deeply human level. Its combination of stellar performances, visual artistry, and thematic depth makes it a noteworthy addition to Netflix’s original film lineup.