The Electric State (2025) Review: A Dystopian Letdown

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

A Disappointing Adaptation

The Electric State is a bloated, vapid, and incongruent adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s epic pictorial science fiction book. With Netflix’s massive influence and $320,000,000 budget, one would think some of that could’ve been directed toward fine-tuning the script, which, honestly, is the cheapest thing to fix in this entire mess of a movie. The film falls flat in almost every area, from its uneven pacing to its unconvincing characters and the lack of a cohesive storyline. Wait, there’s more!

Millie Bobby Brown’s Valiant Effort

Millie Bobby Brown, who plays the lead character, Michelle, delivers a decent performance, but even her talent struggles to keep the film grounded. She plays Michelle, a young woman on a quest to find her missing brother in a bleak, dystopian world full of malfunctioning robots and corporate corruption. Along for the ride is a malfunctioning robot named Cosmo, voiced by Alan Tudyk. Cosmo is a cute-as-hell semi-humanoid figure that tags along with Michelle on her journey, providing moments of levity with his robotic charm, but even his presence can’t fully carry the film. While Brown’s portrayal of Michelle is earnest, there’s just not enough depth or emotional connection in the script to make you care about her journey. In fact, it’s tough to get invested in any of the characters because the writing doesn’t flesh them out enough.

Chris Pratt’s Underwhelming Role

Chris Pratt plays Keats, a low-rent smuggler with a robot sidekick named Herman. Pratt’s portrayal is a bit of a mixed bag. Keats is meant to be a morally ambiguous character, trying to make his way in a crumbling world, but he’s not fleshed out enough to make any real impact. Pratt’s natural charm is there (and an awful wig), but it feels like the script gives him very little to work with. His dynamic with Michelle, although it has potential, never feels fully realized. His robot sidekick Herman, voiced by Anthony Mackie, adds a bit of humor and assistance on their journey, but like Keats, Herman never feels like more than a plot device. Together, they make for a somewhat amusing pair, but their interactions don’t add enough emotional weight to the film.

The Book vs. The Movie

If you’re looking for a deeper meaning in the film, you’re probably better off skipping the movie altogether and checking out the coffee table book of the same name. Stålenhag’s The Electric State novel is a fantastic, adult, and incredibly bleak piece of work that doesn’t sugarcoat the tragedy of a world falling apart. It’s far more atmospheric and emotional than the film, which takes a much more surface-level approach. The book tells a much richer story about the collapse of society, one that lingers with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Style Over Substance

The movie doesn’t do justice to Stålenhag’s vision. Visually, it’s impressive in some ways—there’s a strong cyberpunk vibe with neon lights, giant robots, and futuristic tech—but these elements feel disconnected. The world-building, which should be one of the strongest points of an adaptation like this, doesn’t mesh well. The film’s setting feels cold and soulless, and you can’t help but feel like it’s all style with very little substance.

A Missed Opportunity

What’s most disappointing is how the film never fully captures the loneliness and melancholy that’s present in Stålenhag’s artwork and writing. There’s this pervasive sense of isolation in his world, but in the movie, it’s almost lost amid the chaotic plot. The pacing is uneven, dragging at some points and rushing through others. You get snippets of what could have been a truly tragic journey, but it’s all overshadowed by the distracting visuals and a script that can’t hold the story together.

Final Verdict

In the end, The Electric State feels like a missed opportunity. It could’ve been a beautiful exploration of a decaying world with heart, but instead, it becomes just another dystopian film that tries too hard to dazzle with its visuals. If you want the real emotional weight and philosophical depth of the story, The Electric State book is the way to go. The movie just doesn’t come close to capturing the essence of what made Simon Stålenhag’s work so special.

The Electric State is streaming now on Netflix

• Rating Certificate: PG-13 (for sci-fi violence/action, language and some thematic material.)
• Studios & Distributors: AGBO | Anthem & Song | Double Dream | Skybound Entertainment | Netflix
• Director: Anthony Russo | Joe Russo
• Written By: Christopher Markus (screenplay )| Stephen McFeely (screenplay) | Simon Stålenhag (based on the novel by)
• Country: USA
• Language: English
• Run Time: 128 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
• Release Date: 14 March 2025