Going into “The Electric State,” directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and based on the illustrated novel by Simon Stalenhag, I had high hopes. It had been a new concept, the visuals that were spoiled in the trailers were very appealing, and there was clear foreshadowing about the future consequences of artificial intelligence.
The trailer itself doesn’t reveal much about the plot, but the constant showing of robots and well-known actors made me curious. The only red flag is that the movie was based on a book.
It stars Millie bobby Brown alongside voice performances from Chris Pratt, Giancarlo Esposito and Brian Cox. The film brings live action with CGI to bring Stalenhag’s retro-futuristic, post-apocalyptic world to life, exploring themes of loss, memory and the emotional toll of technology.
Thirty minutes into the movie, it felt like they rushed through the plot to get to the part that was advertised – namely, robots and their role in the world. The pacing affected the journey in a negative way. Instead of following a teenager through her risky journey of trying to find the last of her family, we get to see her meet crazy new characters on the way.
They could’ve given viewers more time to grow attached to the protagonist and relate to her in a meaningful way. Typically, movies build this connection naturally during the first hour or so of the movie. However, in “The Electric State,” it feels as if her emotional depth is overshadowed by the need to push the narrative forward.
I desperately wanted to connect to the protagonist because I personally relate to her struggle, but I was being forced along and not allowed enough time to marinate. Of course, the protagonist has drive, but there’s less focus on her motivations and more on the spectacle of cool vintage robots.
The imbalance makes the film feel more like a highlight reel of its most marketable moments rather than a fully developed emotional experience. While the visual concepts are engaging, the heart of the story, the characters, deserve more room to grow.
Regarding the fact that it is a book adaptation, one common issue is that they rarely reach the full potential due to time constrictions. “The Electric State” was clearly meant to have more depth, but after condensing the story, its message feels underwhelming.
Don’t get me wrong, the movie has its strengths. The story is clear and easy to follow, making it inviting even for those who aren’t familiar with the book. The world is visually stunning, successfully immersing the viewers. And the emotional aspects, while underdeveloped, are present and still hold weight – the film still delivers heartfelt moments. It is an engaging journey with strong visual storytelling.
If you wanted to just sit and watch a movie without contemplating your whole existence, then this movie is great.