Nothing sparks online debate like a movie that receives widespread critical acclaim… for all the wrong reasons. If you thought the reactions to Borderlands last year were scathing, the backlash against The Electric State may set a new standard.
Netflix’s upcoming sci-fi action film, directed by the Russo brothers and starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, is not scheduled for release until next week. However, early viewers are already sharing their thoughts, and the verdict is overwhelmingly negative. Our own Germain Lussier didn’t review it, but he considered it among the most mediocre of the Russos’ work, which speaks volumes. At the time of writing, Electric State has a Rotten Tomatoes consensus of 27%, making it the third-lowest rated film by the Russos, ahead of A Merry Friggin’ Christmas (14%) and You, Me, & Dupree (20%). Previously, it held a rating of 10%, which would have been their worst-reviewed film to date. We’ve compiled some reactions below for your amusement or dismay.
#TheElectricState is a reductive amalgam of superior films, sanitizing the book’s bleak dystopian beauty and transforming it into a bright, 4-quadrant algorithmic mess. Brown, Esposito, and Tucci elevate the cheesier elements with sincerity, while Pratt channels his inner Han Solo/Jack Burton. The VFX are impressive. pic.twitter.com/CWrABdwL3P
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) March 4, 2025
The Electric State: the Russo brothers aren’t attempting to destroy cinema, but they seem determined to convince us it’s already deceased.
I’m praying this lifeless ($320 million?) Netflix mockbuster is the worst thing I’ll see this year.
Read my review: https://t.co/EQI4nDQQnq pic.twitter.com/2mxQ8QWSqV
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) March 7, 2025
THE ELECTRIC STATE is essentially a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive phone use and the importance of embracing corporate mascots (it’s really, really bad, guys) https://t.co/WGjS7PrZay
— Clarisse Loughrey (@clarisselou) March 7, 2025
Did Netflix genuinely allocate $320 million to the Russo brothers to produce THE ELECTRIC STATE, a soulless retro-futuristic sci-fi adventure designed to be half-watched and then forgotten? Read my review for @THR to find out. https://t.co/pVhkGZ0aWY
— David Rooney (@DavidCRooney1) March 7, 2025
THE ELECTRIC STATE is an entertaining, feel-good family movie that, although more light-hearted than the original story, boasts impressive visuals and action sequences. Chris Pratt brings his signature charm, and Brown, Esposito, Tucci, and Quan deliver standout performances. #TheElectricState
Stay tuned for my full review on @Popternative! pic.twitter.com/bcjX2Wbx58
— Chris Gallardo (@chrisagwrites) March 5, 2025
By and large, the consensus is that this film is a misfire that can’t even be salvaged by its visually stunning robots. What’s more disappointing is that it’s based on Simon Stålenhag’s beloved graphic novel, Electric State. The fact that the movie is an incoherent mess is lamentable in itself, but it’s even more disheartening when considering its reported budget of over $300 million, making it one of the most expensive films ever produced. It’s worth noting that the Russos are set to direct the next two Avengers movies, which is… interesting.
The Electric State premieres on Netflix on Friday, March 14. If you’re not watching Novocaine, Opus, Day the Earth Blew Up, or Black Bag in theaters, you could always give it a try and see if it lives up to its lackluster reputation. Then, on Tuesday, you can feign surprise when Netflix announces it as the most-watched movie on the platform without providing any concrete numbers to support the claim.
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