The Electric State is a spectacular adventure from the directors of Avengers: Endgame set in an alternate, retro-futuristic version of the 1990s. Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things, Enola Holmes, Damsel) stars as Michelle, an orphaned teenager navigating life in a society where sentient robots resembling cartoons and mascots, who once served peacefully among humans, now live in exile following a failed uprising. Everything Michelle thinks she knows about the world is upended one night when she's visited by Cosmo, a sweet, mysterious robot who appears to be controlled by Christopher -- Michelle's genius younger brother whom she thought was dead. Determined to find the beloved sibling she thought she had lost, Michelle sets out across the American southwest with Cosmo, and soon finds herself reluctantly joining forces with Keats (Chris Pratt, Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World), a low-rent smuggler, and his wisecracking robot sidekick, Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie). As they venture into the Exclusion Zone, a walled-off corner in the desert where robots now exist on their own, Keats and Michelle find a strange, colorful group of new animatronic allies -- and begin to learn that the forces behind Christopher's disappearance are more sinister than they ever expected.
The Electric State is based on the stunning narrative art book by Simon Stålenhag. It immediately transports viewers to a dystopian yet eerily nostalgic version of the 1990s.
Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo (Avengers: Endgame; You, Me and Dupree), the film is an intriguing blend of a personal quest and a broader social commentary on a world altered by advanced technology.
The narrative follows Michelle, an orphaned teenager on a journey through a decaying landscape of abandoned robots and crumbling societal systems, in search of her younger brother. Along the way, she’s accompanied by her enigmatic robot companion Cosmo (voice of Alan Tudyk, Rogue One; A Knight’s Tale), and encounters a world filled with desolation and mystery.
Michelle joins forces with Keats (Chris Pratt, Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World), a low-rent smuggler, and his wisecracking robot sidekick, Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie, Captain America: Civil War; The Hurt Locker). For adults born around the 1980’s, seeing Keats horde is a pleasure seeing items such as the original Nintendo Entertainment System amongst many other classic, retro toys.
What sets The Electric State apart is its haunting visual aesthetic. The film stays true to Stålenhag’s original artwork, capturing a mesmerising contrast between futuristic robotics and retro, suburban Americana. The world-building is immersive, and each frame feels like a painting brought to life.
The subtle exploration of themes like loneliness, humanity’s reliance on technology, and the consequences of progress adds layers to the tale.
The cast includes Woody Harrelson (Natural Born Killers; Zombieland) and Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad; The Usual Suspects) whose performances bring authenticity to this surreal world, and the Russo brothers skilfully balance moments of quiet introspection with bursts of tension and action.
Going against many critics, this was a thorough joy to watch. It was aesthetically and visually pleasing, a great story and offered a true 1990’s nostalgic feel.
