The Electric State, a Netflix original film directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, boasts a reported budget of over $300 million, making it one of the most expensive movies in history. With a whopping production cost, the Russos seem to have spared no expense in creating an alternate 1990s world filled with quirky machines, robots, and pop cultural references. However, despite its impressive visuals and action-packed sequences, The Electric State falls short in terms of imagination, inspiration, and fun.
The film’s narrative is centered around Michelle, a rebellious teenage foster kid who believes her younger brother may still be alive after a car crash that killed their entire family. While this premise has potential, the Russo brothers’ script fails to explore it in a meaningful way, instead opting for a predictable and formulaic storyline. The characters speak in a quippy, sarcastic patter, but it quickly becomes tiresome.
The Electric State also suffers from a lack of originality, relying heavily on pastiche and consumerist satire that feels unrefined and shallow. The villains, a tech mogul and general, are generic and underdeveloped, with no clear motivation or backstory. The film’s climax features a familiar melody that is awkwardly incorporated into the underscore, highlighting the Russos’ reliance on existing music rather than creating something original.
One of the most striking aspects of The Electric State is its economic excess. With a budget of over $300 million, the production team has created an impressive visual feast, but it’s hard to shake off the feeling that they’ve simply followed a checklist of familiar conventions without adding anything new or interesting. While their Marvel movies have shown promise in drawing on decades’ worth of comic-book storylines, The Electric State feels like a missed opportunity for originality and creativity.
Ultimately, The Electric State is a disappointing mega-budget blockbuster that fails to deliver on its promises. Despite its impressive visuals and action-packed sequences, the film’s lackluster narrative, unoriginal concept, and shallow satire make it a forgettable addition to the Russo brothers’ filmography.
Source: https://slate.com/culture/2025/03/electric-state-netflix-movie-millie-bobby-brown-chris-pratt.html