The movie adaptation of Simon Stalenhag’s illustrated novel “The Electric State” is a jarring disappointment. Set in an alternative history where machines achieved sentience and waged war against humanity, the film offers a shallow take on its own premise. In contrast to the book’s muted narrative and melancholic mood, the movie is garish and obvious.
The story follows Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) and her robot companion Kid Cosmo as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world. However, the script has abandoned its central characters, instead focusing on swashbuckling smuggler Keats (Chris Pratt) and his bot sidekick Herman. The film’s attempts at satire and social commentary fall flat, with a lack of logic in its portrayal of human-machine relationships.
The acting suffers as well, particularly from Millie Bobby Brown, who looks confused and bored throughout the movie. Chris Pratt’s performance is also underwhelming, despite being given more screen time than his co-star. The film’s reliance on cartoonish action and tired jokes only adds to its overall messiness.
Overall, “The Electric State” is a lazy, unengaging adaptation that fails to capture the essence of Stalenhag’s original work. Even without considering the source material, this movie is a hyper-processed industrial product with too much sugar and not enough substance.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/movies/the-electric-state-review.html