Joe and Anthony Russo, best known for their Marvel blockbusters, attempt to craft a grand sci-fi adventure with The Electric State, but the result is a soulless and uninspired spectacle. Starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, this Netflix production had all the ingredients for success—big names, a massive budget, and a promising concept. Unfortunately, the film squanders these assets, delivering a sluggish, formulaic story weighed down by lifeless characters and unremarkable visuals.
A Predictable and Uninspired Narrative
Set in an alternate-reality 1990s, The Electric State follows Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), a teenager searching for her missing brother, Christopher, after a war between humans and rogue AI. Alongside her robotic companion Cosmo and a reluctant mercenary named Keats (Chris Pratt), Michelle ventures into a post-war exclusion zone filled with scavengers, government forces, and mysterious machines.
While the premise suggests a thrilling road-trip adventure, the execution is disappointingly tedious. The plot drags through repetitive encounters that add little to character development or world-building. The script leans heavily on exposition but never offers the audience anything beyond surface-level exploration of its themes. Instead of gripping tension or emotional depth, we get a by-the-numbers sci-fi plot that lacks originality or surprises.
Lackluster Performances from a Stellar Cast
Despite the star-studded lineup, performances in The Electric State feel uninspired. Millie Bobby Brown, usually a standout in her roles, is given little room to showcase her talents beyond the occasional dramatic outburst. Chris Pratt, playing a Han Solo-esque smuggler, delivers yet another variation of his usual cocky yet charming persona, but with none of the charisma that made his previous performances work.
Supporting actors like Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, and Anthony Mackie are criminally underutilized, reduced to forgettable side roles that add little to the narrative. Even Colman Domingo, fresh off an Academy Award nomination, is relegated to a single scene as a robotic security officer. The lack of meaningful character arcs or engaging dialogue makes it difficult for even talented actors to breathe life into the film.
Visually Expensive but Stylistically Generic
For a film with a reported budget exceeding $300 million, The Electric State looks surprisingly dull. The cinematography and production design lack the distinct identity needed to create a memorable sci-fi world. Instead of the rich, immersive landscapes seen in Dune or Blade Runner 2049, we get generic CGI environments that feel artificial and weightless.
The film’s reliance on CGI is another major drawback. While visual effects should enhance a story, here they serve as a crutch, masking the lack of practical filmmaking with overproduced digital imagery. Action sequences are chaotic but uninspired, failing to create any real sense of tension or excitement. Even Alan Silvestri’s score, which should elevate the film’s emotional moments, feels like a rehash of his previous work.
A Shallow Exploration of Big Ideas
At its core, The Electric State attempts to explore weighty themes—AI consciousness, war trauma, and human resilience—but does so in the most superficial manner possible. Rather than engaging with these topics in a meaningful way, the film uses them as mere plot devices, never fully developing any of its philosophical or emotional questions.
The film also borrows heavily from other sci-fi classics, but without adding anything new. The AI uprising recalls The Terminator, the desolate wastelands feel like a lesser Mad Max, and the relationship between Michelle and Cosmo tries to replicate the heart of The Iron Giant but falls completely flat. These influences only highlight how The Electric State fails to carve out its own identity.
A Climax That Fizzles Instead of Soars
As the film builds toward its climax, one would expect a thrilling, emotionally charged conclusion. Instead, The Electric State delivers an underwhelming, CGI-heavy final act that lacks both tension and originality. The action feels weightless, and the emotional resolution—meant to be the payoff for Michelle’s journey—falls utterly flat. It’s a finale that tries to be profound but ultimately feels rushed and unearned.
Conclusion: A Monumental Misstep in Sci-Fi Filmmaking
Despite its blockbuster budget and A-list cast, The Electric State is a colossal disappointment. What could have been an emotionally resonant sci-fi epic instead becomes a soulless, overproduced misfire. The Russo brothers, once celebrated for their ability to blend action and emotion, seem to have lost their touch, prioritizing spectacle over storytelling.
For viewers seeking an engaging sci-fi adventure, there are far better options available. Films like Dune, Blade Runner 2049, or even The Last of Us series provide the emotional depth and world-building that The Electric State desperately lacks. In the end, this film serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of blockbuster filmmaking—proving that no amount of money can compensate for a lack of heart and vision.
Rating: 1/5 – A soulless spectacle with nothing new to offer.
