The Electric State

To my parents, who passed on their passion for cinema to me

There are films that dazzle with their effects, films that captivate you with their story, and then there are films like The Electric State, a film that, against all odds, manages to do both while instilling an emotional core that lingers long after the credits roll. It is certainly the kind of science fiction movie that reminds us why we love going to the movies: to be transported, moved and amazed by the audacity of a world brought to life by visionary storytelling. We just wish we could have seen it on an IMAX screen at our favorite theater.

From the very first images of The Electric State, you are immediately amazed. The alternative setting of the 1990s, where sentient robots once lived among humans before a devastating war forced them into exile, is more than just a backdrop: it is a character in its own right. The world is tactile, inhabited and imbued with a retro-futuristic charm. Each shot is full of small details that invite the audience to explore, from abandoned neon billboards that sparkle along a desolate highway to the rusty remains of war machines left abandoned in the desert. It's proof that the design of the production and the construction of a world can enhance a story, creating a place that is as immersive as it is visually striking.

At the heart of this film is Michelle, perfectly portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), a rebellious and tough teenager who refuses to conform to the anesthetic escape of the Neurocaster, a virtual reality headset that has effectively turned most of the population into passive spectators of their own lives. Millie Bobby Brown delivers what could be her most nuanced performance to date. Michelle is complex, emotionally raw but fiercely independent, bearing the weight of grief at the loss of her brother while navigating a world that has lost its way. When Cosmo, a brawling, cartoon-like robot, appears and claims to be controlled by her long-dead brother, the adventure really begins. It's a scenario rich in emotional stakes, and Millie Bobby Brown makes sure that Michelle's journey never feels like a simple plot device, but rather a deeply personal quest for connection in a world that has forgotten how to truly live.

Chris Pratt plays the character Keats, a reluctant smuggler with a heart of gold. It's a role that will remind some viewers of his Guardians of the Galaxy character, but Chris Pratt brings a more understated and jaded energy that gives Keats a distinct character. He is not the mischievous, carefree thug: his cynicism carries weight, his every gesture betrays exhaustion, which makes his emotional investment in Michelle's journey all the more convincing. His banter with Anthony Mackie's mischievous, shape-shifting robot Herman infuses the movie with humor and warmth, providing a much-needed counterbalance to the darker undertones of the story.

The film blossoms thanks to its supporting roles, with each character adding richness to the universe. Stanley Tucci's Ethan Skate is a villain who defies expectations: he is not a surly antagonist twirling his moustache, but a man who sincerely believes he is saving humanity, even if his actions suggest otherwise. Giancarlo Esposito, in the role of the implacable Colonel Bradbury, proves once again why he is one of the best character actors around, imbuing his scenes with a silent menace and ruthless efficiency. Then there's Mr. Peanut, played by Woody Harrelson, the former corporate mascot turned revolutionary leader, a bizarre but inspired choice that somehow works, adding an unexpected layer of absurdity that makes the world even more unique.

Visually, The Electric State is an undeniable success. The Russo brothers, in collaboration with cinematographer Stephen F. Windon, have made a film that is both grandiose in scope and intimate in its execution. In contrast to the dark, washed-out color palettes that characterize many modern blockbusters, this film is bathed in golden hues and sunny landscapes, giving each sequence a vibrant radiance. The action is kinetic but coherent, never falling into the trap of excessive CGI. The climactic battle at Skate's imposing Seattle headquarters is a grandiose spectacle that will remind some of Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One: robots fighting for their freedom, a last desperate fight and an emotional reward that resonates beyond mere explosions and spectacle.

Alan Silvestri's soundtrack is a nostalgic throwback to the adventure films of the '80s and '90s, evoking the spirit of Back to the Future while forging its own identity. The music, which ranges from the Flaming Lips' Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots to a hauntingly reimagined piano rendition of Wonderwall, is both a playful wink to the audience and a highly effective way to set the mood. This is a movie that understands the power of music, not as background noise, but as an essential element of the storytelling process.

However, what really sets The Electric State apart is its heart. Beneath the spectacle, the thrilling chase sequences and the robot revolutions, lies a family story about the indestructible bonds that unite us, even in the face of insurmountable obstacles. The final moments of the film are a punch in the gut, a perfect blend of hope and heartbreak that lingers long after the screen has gone black. Few films dare to aim for true emotional catharsis in the midst of an adrenaline-fueled sci-fi adventure, and even fewer succeed as well as this one.

Netflix has struggled to find a successful franchise that truly resonates with audiences, but The Electric State may well be the answer. It is bold, ambitious and deeply human. In a film landscape increasingly dominated by safe choices and algorithm-driven choices, this film dares to be different, to be strange, to be sentimental, to be resolutely original. It is a reminder of what films can be when they aim for more than just spectacle, when they seek to tell a story that matters.

This film succeeds in capturing the magic of the best science fiction epics while forging its own identity. It is both a love letter to the adventure films of the past and a thrilling new entry into the genre that deserves to be remembered. The Electric State is one of those rare films that manages to combine heart, humor and thrills with such ease. It's an experience that reminds us why we fell in love with cinema in the first place, the power of stories to transport us, to inspire us and to make us feel connected even in the most disconnected of moments.

The Electric State
Directed by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Screenplay by Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Based on The Electric State by Simon Stålenhag
Produced by Russell Ackerman, Chris Castaldi, Mike Larocca, Patrick Newall, Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Giancarlo Esposito, Stanley Tucci
Cinematography: Stephen F. Windon
Edited by Jeffrey Ford
Music by Alan Silvestri
Production companies: AGBO, Skybound Entertainment
Distributed by Netflix
Release dates: February 24, 2025 (Grauman's Egyptian Theatre), March 14, 2025 (United States)
Running time: 128 minutes

Seen on March 3, 2025 (press screener)

Mulder's Mark: