A 14% critic score is usually a recipe for disaster, but Netflix’s latest original film, The Electric State, has bucked that trend. Despite being panned by critics, the movie boasts an impressive 76% audience score, significantly higher than its critical reception.
This phenomenon is not new to Netflix. Other poorly reviewed movies like Red Notice and The Gray Man have achieved surprisingly high audience scores, with 92% and 90%, respectively. On the other hand, Carry-On’s excellent critic score of 87% was overshadowed by a dismal 51% from fans.
The Electric State stands out due to its massive reported budget of $320 million, making it one of the most expensive movies ever made. Despite this, viewers are still grappling with how realistic some scenes look, especially when viewed without CGI enhancements.
Netflix has high expectations for The Electric State, aiming for a spot on their all-time Top 10 list, which features films starring A-list talent like Leonardo DiCaprio and Julia Roberts. As the film takes the top spot in various regions, it’s clear that Netflix is banking on its mass appeal to propel this underwhelming movie onto the list.
A week or so away from release, it remains too early to assess The Electric State’s viewership. However, with a strong start at #1 globally, it appears the film has won over audiences for now. Despite my own scathing review, it’s undeniable that critics and audiences can have vastly different opinions on Netflix movies.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2025/03/16/the-inevitable-electric-state-critic-audience-divide-opens-up-on-netflix