Adapted from Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel, “The Electric State” is the latest extremely expensive blockbuster produced by Netflix. But is the budget that is worth it?
The platform of streaming has placed many expectations on The Electric Statereleased on March 14, 2025. This very free adaptation of the graphic novel by Swedish Simon Stålenhag, released in 2018, is the last achievement of the Russo brothers (Avengers : EndgameThe Gray Man). This retro-futuristic adventure plunges subscribers into a conflict between humans and robots. In this context, an orphan (Millie Bobby Brown) then launched himself in search of her missing young brother, using machines and a smuggler with a big heart (Chris Pratt).
Directors known for their master’s degree in the big show, casting of stars … not surprising that The Electric State benefited from a huge budget. This is estimated at nearly $ 320 million per several American media, such as IMDB or Collider, which would make it the most expensive film produced by streaming giant. But does a big budget (which has not been officially confirmed by Netflix) guarantee a good film?
Our criticism of The Electric State
The Electric State undoubtedly had potential. The Russos brothers continue to prove that they master the staging of action films to offer the public of the big show. Visually, Netflix’s film is pleasant with the development of an uchronic universe full of promises, especially in the design of robots.
But it is mainly in terms of writing that the feature film quickly reveals its weaknesses. Despite the obvious thematic potential (the grip of the CEOs of tech over the world, the way in which we are cutting from the world thanks to technology, which makes humanity …), The Electric State Stay constantly on the surface. We immediately see where the feature film seeks to take the spectator, and on what narrative and emotional springs he seeks to support. Result: it does not work.
Because the film is sorely lacking in heart and personality, constantly failing in its attempts at humor or emotion. The fault of actors in automatic piloting (Chris Pratt makes Chris Pratt, Millie Bobby Brown is sorely lacking in authenticity), to dialogues of great platitude (“sometimes some people are less human than machines”), in fairly limited issues (the quest for Michelle is struggling to interest) and the notable absence of rhythm or tension to keep the spectator. The Electric State Lack of soul and joins the long list of Netflix productions that we are used to seeing: it looks at each other, but it is forgotten too quickly.
What is the intrigue of The Electric State ?
In an alternative world, Michelle, a teenager, becomes a friend with a robot. She quickly discovers that this robot is sent by her missing brother. Accompanied by her metallic friend and a vagabond, the teenager goes in search of this brother, but her journey through a world ravaged by drone attacks is likely to be hectic.
What a cast for The Electric State ?
- Millie Bobby Brown: Michelle
- Chris Pratt: Keats
- Ke Huy Quan
- Stanley Tucci
- Jason Alexander
- Woody Norman
- Giancarlo Esposito
- Anthony Mackie (VO)
- Woody Harrelson (VO)
- Brian Cox (VO)
- Jenny Slate (VO)
- Alan Tudyk (VO)
Where to look The Electric State Streaming?
The film The Electric State is put online on the Netflix platform on March 14, 2025. To discover the blockbuster of the Russo brothers, but also their other action film Netflix The Gray Manyou need a subscription to the streaming site. The offers vary between 5.99 euros per month for the cheapest offer but with advertisements, at 19.99 euros per month for the most expensive offer, but without advertisements. An intermediate subscription to 13.49 euros per month also exists, while Canal+ also offers in some of its offers the Netflix subscription.