The Electric State: an alternate America in the 1990s becomes the stage for a sci-fi adventure filled with the anthropogenic wreckages of a forlorn society, technology, and wars. Michelle, a teen orphan played by Millie Bobby Brown, is the protagonist of the movie which is based on Stålenhag’s illustrated novel. The universe she lives in is a hybrid of decayed and marvelous filled with vast wastelands of barren technology and massive skulls of machinery which once turned sentient and waged war against humans.
The protagonist steps deeper into the world at the beginning of the film as she uncovers the truth about her brother. Christopher has been missing throughout the story and believed to be dead. He was supposedly stuck in the crossfire of the last battle AI vs. humans. Humans have lost. Their machinery is left to rot on the American ground. Michelle for love and hope undertakes a soul-stirring journey across the country to fulfill her objective, which is to discover the fate of Christopher.
Accompanying her on this expedition is a loyal and intelligent, albeit small, robot known as Cosmo who appears to be linked to her brother. Also, a weary wanderer made famous by Chris Pratt called Keats. Together they explore abandoned towns, eerie landscapes filled with decaying machinery, and perilous areas occupied by rogue humans and robots locked in a silent battle. While doing this, Michelle uncovers the intricate web of secrets surrounding the AI rebellion, the mega corps’ ulterior goals, and the fabrication of the public’s perception of the war.
The core idea revolves around Michelle’s unrelenting spirit to fight against despair and her deepening affection for Cosmo. Her story denotes personal forgiveness and discovery as much as it does survival. Throughout her expedition, she sees the grim repercussions of mankind’s irrational aspirations and the ambiguity between technology and sentience. The more she wanders in this devastated land, the more she understands that Christopher’s destiny is not only in her family’s hands, but also in the balance of the future coexistence between humans and machines.
Everything is in sight until a pivotal conflict arises, where Michelle is challenged with an impossible dilemma: whether to save her sibling or avert a technological disaster. Ultimately, The Electric State delivers both entertainment and an intimate tale of hope, courage, and the human bond — all wrapped in a dystopian setting.
Cast & Crew
Directors:
The Electric State is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, who previously stole the show with Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. The Russo brothers once again injected their trademark mix of emotionally poignant storytelling with grandiose spectacles to this large scale project.
Writers:
The screenplay is penned by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, Russo brothers’ partners for years. He transforms Simon Stålenhag’s hauntingly beautiful illustrations and ambient storytelling into a multilayered and captivating feature film.
Main Cast:
Millie Bobby Brown as Michelle — The movie’s emotional compass. Brown’s astonishing performance is both powerful and filled with an unwavering will contrasted with immense vulnerability.
Chris Pratt as Keats — A nomad with an unknown past who transforms into a guardian figure as he reluctantly becomes a mentor to Michelle. He does a wonderful job capturing the warmth and ruggedness of the character.
Stanley Tucci as a menacing villain – Tucci takes on the role of a business and military stakeholder who seeks to exploit AI for profit as a shadowy corporate figure.
Woody Norman as Christopher – Norman’s appearances during the flashbacks and the poignant moments of the last act reveal the character of the brother whose absence is felt for the entire story.
Brian Cox as the voice of Cosmo – Cox’s characterization of the robot companion blends sentential dryness with wisdom providing the film’s emotional wings together with Michelle.
Cinematography & Visuals:
The film focuses on the gloomy magnificence of Stålenhag’s art work which includes, vast, empty lands surrounded by mechanical ruins, bright neon sun and empty skyscrapers. With his previous work with the Russos, Cinematographer Trent Opaloch captures the film’s dramatic scenery and the subjects on a personal level as well.
Music:
The score by Steve Jablonsky integrates the melancholic yet sharp themes of orchestra with synthetic undertones reflecting the fusion of technology and decay in the world which further elevates the tone of the movie.
Reception and Critique Reviews
At this moment, The Electric State has an 7.8/10
rating on IMDb, indicating overall support. Critics have underscored the film’s beauty and its capacity to evoke feelings. The Russo brothers’ direction has been highlighted as a strong point, superbly merging grand scope world building and personal storytelling. Many reviewers consider Millie Bobby Brown’s performance as the most outstanding feature of the film, arguing that it is her most sophisticated role to date.
Some pundits point out that the film suffers from overexposition in some places, especially in telling the backstory of the AI war. Nevertheless, the stunning visual design and emotional payoff ensures to silence the audience as they marvel at the screen. The film has been praised for maintaining the haunting melancholy of the source material, while making it easier for a larger audience to connect with it.
The mature drama combined with adventurous science fiction has proven the audience’s favorite which led them to remark this film as a “thoughtful, emotional ride.” Dystopian Parents and fans of coming of age tales will consider The Electric State as a remarkable addition to The Electric State.
Watch Free Movies on Fmovies