🎬 The Electric State (2025) Review – Ambitious Russo Brothers Sci‑Fi Visuals Don't Deliver Emotion
Genre: Sci‑Fi, Action, Adventure
Directors: Anthony Russo & Joe Russo
Stars: Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie
Platform: Netflix (Released March 14, 2025)
Runtime: 128 minutes | Budget: $320 million
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🌟 Introduction
After major success in the superhero genre, the Russo Brothers pivot to this Netflix sci-fi adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s illustrated novel. With a staggering $320 million budget, The Electric State promised a landmark in streaming cinema. While its visuals and world-building are impressive, many critics felt the emotional core was missing .
---The Electric State 2025 review
Russo Brothers Netflix film
🚀 Plot & Premise
The story follows Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) traversing a post-apocalyptic America with her robot companion “Tik” to find her missing brother. Along the way, they encounter a series of quirky yet haunting locales, echoing Stålenhag’s vision—ruined arcades, retro robotic landscapes, and eerie small towns.
---Millie Bobby Brown sci‑fi movie
Netflix big budget movie review
🎥 Visuals & Production
The film delivers breathtaking visuals—ruined amusement parks, robotic dinosaurs, and pastel ruin aesthetic closely matched to Stålenhag’s art .
Despite Netflix’s backing, critics noted overreliance on visual spectacle with minimal narrative depth .
---Simon Stålenhag adaptation
🎭 Performance & Tone
Millie Bobby Brown carries the film with quiet intensity.
Chris Pratt and Ke Huy Quan offer strong support but fail to fully connect emotionally.
The movie’s tone swings between melancholic and whimsical, yet never coalesces into a compelling emotional journey .
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⚠️ Strengths vs Weaknesses
✅ Strengths ❌ Weaknesses
Stunning, faithful visuals Weak emotional connection
Bold world-building Shallow character arcs
Netflix’s biggest sci‑fi gamble Critics describe it as “20 million miracles, no soul”
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🌐 Audience Response
The film underwhelmed critics—described as “expensive and hollow” .
Despite hype, Rotten Tomatoes critics’ count remains low; audience response has been mixed.
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🎯 Final Verdict
The Electric State is a visual tour de force—a bold shift for the Russo Brothers with breathtaking set pieces and world-building. But the lack of emotional core makes it feel empty for viewers expecting depth alongside scale. Its massive budget makes a statement—but brilliance alone isn’t enough.
⭐ Final Rating: 6.5/10
Watch if: You're drawn to striking sci‑fi visuals and curious about Russo Brothers outside the MCU.
Skip if: You want emotionally driven storytelling or strong character arcs.
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Adapted from Simon Stålenhag