The Electric State (2025) – Reviews, Release Date, Cast, and BTS
The Electric State is a big-budget science fiction movie made by the famous Russo Brothers, who also directed Marvel hits like Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. This time, they’ve taken a break from superheroes and explored a different kind of story—one about robots, a lost world, and a young girl’s journey.
Released on Netflix on March 14, 2025, the movie is based on a book by Simon Stålenhag that includes lots of pictures and tells a story set in a strange, futuristic version of the past.
Key Details:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | The Electric State |
| Release Date | March 14, 2025 (Netflix), February 24, 2025 (Premiere at Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre) |
| Directors | Anthony Russo, Joe Russo |
| Screenplay | Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely |
| Based On | The Electric State by Simon Stålenhag |
| Production Companies | AGBO, Double Dream, Skybound Entertainment |
| Budget | $320 million |
| Cast | Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Giancarlo Esposito, Anthony Mackie, Jason Alexander, Jenny Slate, Brian Cox |
| Plot | Set in a dystopian 1997, Michelle, an orphaned teen, embarks on a journey with a sentient robot to find her missing brother amidst a world recovering from the “Robot Wars.” |
| Themes | Human-robot relationships, technology’s impact on society, dystopian survival |
| Reception | Mixed reviews; praised for visuals, criticized for pacing and narrative coherence |
| Running Time | 128 minutes |
Release Date and Filming Details
Before it dropped on Netflix, The Electric State had a special screening at Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre in California on February 24, 2025. Then, two weeks later, the movie was available for everyone to watch worldwide on Netflix.
The production cost was very high, $320 million, making it one of the most expensive movies ever made. Filming happened back in 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia, where many big Hollywood movies are shot these days because of the city’s growing film industry.
The Cast: Who’s in It?
The movie has a powerful and well-known cast. Here’s a quick look at the main actors and the roles they played:
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Millie Bobby Brown (from Stranger Things) plays the lead character, Michelle, a brave and curious teenage girl who has lost her brother and is on a journey to find him.
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Chris Pratt (from Guardians of the Galaxy) plays Keats, a quirky man who becomes Michelle’s companion during her road trip.
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Stanley Tucci appears as Ethan Skate, a powerful businessman and CEO of a tech company called Sentre.
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Other big names in supporting roles include
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Giancarlo Esposito
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Ke Huy Quan
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Woody Harrelson
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Anthony Mackie
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There’s also some fun voice acting. For example, Woody Harrelson voices a character named Mr. Peanut, who is a robot. These robot voices help make the world feel more alive and emotional.
Plot: What’s the Story About?
The movie is set in a different version of the year 1997, after a big event called the Robot Wars. In this world, robots were once a normal part of everyday life. People and machines lived side by side, but something went wrong. The robots became dangerous, and now they are pushed out of human areas into special “exclusion zones.”
The story follows Michelle, a teenage girl who is traveling through the ruined parts of America. She’s trying to find her brother, who has gone missing. She’s not alone, though; she’s joined by Cosmo, a friendly and intelligent robot who protects her and helps her on her journey.
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Together, they go through deserts, old cities, and weird robot zones. Along the way, Michelle learns more about the world, the war, and herself. The movie tries to show what happens when technology goes too far and how people can still find hope in dark times.
What Do Critics Say? (Reviews & Reception)
The reviews have been mixed. Some people loved the visuals; the world looks amazing, full of neon signs, old cars, and creepy robots. The special effects are top-tier, and the movie feels like stepping into a painting from the 80s and 90s but with a futuristic twist.
However, others said the story was too slow and a bit confusing. While the movie tried to talk about deep things like the connection between humans and machines or the loneliness in a tech-driven world, some critics felt these ideas weren’t fully developed.
Still, because of the big names and the huge marketing push, the movie had a strong debut on Netflix, ranking among its most-watched titles during the release week.
Behind-the-Scenes:
The original book is darker and more serious and is aimed at adult readers. But the Russo Brothers decided to change the tone a bit to make it suitable for families and younger viewers. According to Joe Russo, one of the directors, they wanted the movie to start conversations about technology, family, and responsibility in a way that kids and teens could understand, too.
They also added new characters and made the plot more emotional, focusing on Michelle’s journey rather than just world-building.
Good Things People Liked
Visual Masterpiece:
- Many folks are saying the movie looks very beautiful. The special effects and old-style future look are done really well. It felt like the pictures in the book had come to life.
Star-Studded Cast:
- People liked how Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, and the others acted. Their roles felt fun and strong. The acting kept people watching.
Family-Friendly Appeal:
- The movie is made in a way that kids and grown-ups both can enjoy. It’s not too scary or dark, so it’s good for watching with the whole family.
Things People Didn’t Like
Narrative Issues:
- Some people felt the story was hard to follow. Things moved too fast, and it wasn’t easy to get into what was happening.
Missed Depth:
- Fans of the original book said the movie didn’t go deep enough. They think the film didn’t show the full meaning of the book and was too light compared to it.
Pacing Problems:
- Many viewers said the movie jumps from one part to another too quickly. Because of that, they couldn’t really connect with the characters or feel their emotions.
Is It Worth Watching?
If you love sci-fi stories, amazing visuals, and emotional journeys, The Electric State is worth a watch. It might not be perfect; some people found it too long or slow, but it brings something new to the sci-fi genre.
It also shows that the Russo Brothers aren’t just action directors; they can tell personal stories, too. The Electric State is more than just robots and war; it’s about family, loss, and finding light in a broken world.
Even if it’s not everyone’s favorite, it will likely be remembered as one of the most visually creative and emotionally driven Netflix films of the year.
