‘The Electric State’ Netflix Movie Review - Could Have Been Better

The Electric State, adapted from Simon Stålenhag’s beautifully illustrated novel, attempts to blend dystopian science fiction with emotional depth, but the result is a mixed bag that struggles to balance its heavy-handed narrative with moments of genuine creativity. While Stålenhag’s original work has received a lot of praise, the film, however, falls short. The film, unfortunately, seems more enamored with its own aesthetic and world-building than with delivering a coherent and believable story.

Set in an alternate 1990s, a world where robots once roamed freely until an apocalyptic war led to their total ban, the movie introduces us to Michelle (played by Millie Bobby Brown). Michelle's life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers that her long-lost brother Chris's consciousness has been uploaded into an outdated, clunky robot that resembles a once-popular cartoon character named Cosmo. Driven by her love for her brother and armed with a series of cryptic clues, Michelle embarks on a dangerous journey to reach "The Exclusion Zone" — a forbidden, desolate area rumored to hold the key to freeing Chris.

Michelle's quest is made even more perilous as she flees her abusive father, portrayed with unsettling creepiness by Jason Alexander, who is now a far cry from his comedic roots. Like much of the population, he’s addicted to a VR headset that leaves its users in a zombie-like stupor, eerily reminiscent of the satirical dystopia of Infinite Jest. Along the way, Michelle reluctantly teams up with a rogue scavenger played by Chris Pratt, whose performance feels disappointingly recycled, echoing his more famous roles without offering anything fresh.

The primary antagonist, Ethan Skate (played by a reliably sinister Stanley Tucci), is a tech magnate who runs the massive network of VR towers enslaving humanity. Predictably, Skate also commands a private army of weaponized humanoid drones. As the plot unfolds, it reveals some jaw-dropping secrets about what actually powers this virtual-reality empire — but instead of being shocking in a good way, these revelations border on absurd, demanding viewers to suspend disbelief beyond reason. The Russo brothers, who helm the movie, bring a suffocatingly intense directing style that leaves little room for subtlety or nuance.

Yet, amidst the overworked plot and visual spectacle, Millie Bobby Brown’s grounded portrayal of Michelle lends the story its emotional core. She brings a sense of authenticity and heart that makes her character’s journey relatable, even when the surrounding narrative feels out of control. The film also boasts a star-studded lineup of robot voices, including Woody Harrelson, Jenny Slate, Anthony Mackie, and Brian Cox, which may provide fleeting moments of amusement for sharp-eared viewers.

Ultimately, The Electric State is a film that might appeal to those who enjoy post-apocalyptic settings and moody sci-fi visuals, but it overstays its welcome. What starts as an intriguing premise devolves into a chaotic mess, especially as it drags beyond the 90-minute mark. It's a movie that, while not entirely without merit, feels like too much of a good thing gone wrong.

Final Score- [6/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times