Few things get the internet going like a movie that gets all the critical lashes. If you thought reactions to Borderlands last year were bad, those for The Electric State may set a new bar.
Netflix’s upcoming sci-fi action film from the Russo brothers and starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt doesn’t hit until next week. But those who got to see it early are now sharing their thoughts and hoo boy, they ain’t kind. Our own Germain Lussier didn’t review it, but he considered among the most average of the Russos’ work, so take from that what you will. But at time of writing, Electric State has a Rotten Tomatoes consensus of 27%, their third-lowest rated film ahead of A Merry Friggin’ Christmas (14%) and You, Me, & Dupree (20%.). Prior to that, it was 10%, which would’ve made for their worst-reviewed film ever. Yeesh. We’ve posted some impressions below for you to laugh (or wince) at the spectacle of it all.
#TheElectricState is a reductive amalgam of far better films, sanitizing the book’s bleak dystopian beauty, turning into a bright, 4-quadrant algorithmic mess. Brown, Esposito & Tucci elevate cheesier elements with sincerity. Pratt is Han Solo/ Jack Burton-ing it. VFX are GREAT. pic.twitter.com/CWrABdwL3P
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) March 4, 2025
The Electric State: the Russo brothers aren’t trying to *kill* the movies, but they seem determined to convince us the movies are already dead
praying that this lifeless ($320 million!?) Netflix mockbuster is the worst thing i’ll see this year
my review: https://t.co/EQI4nDQQnq pic.twitter.com/2mxQ8QWSqV
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) March 7, 2025
THE ELECTRIC STATE is about how all you damn kids should put your phones down and go hug your nearest corporate mascot (it’s really really bad guys)https://t.co/WGjS7PrZay
— Clarisse Loughrey (@clarisselou) March 7, 2025
Did Netflix really hand the Russo brothers $320 million to make THE ELECTRIC STATE, a soulless retro-futuristic sci-fi adventure designed to be half-watched by many and then never spoken of again? My @THR review of the latest death blow to movies.https://t.co/pVhkGZ0aWY
— David Rooney (@DavidCRooney1) March 7, 2025
THE ELECTRIC STATE is a feel good family movie that’s entertaining, but more light-hearted than the original story. Visuals and action are great, Chris Pratt brings his Star-Lord-isms to it. Brown, Esposito, Tucci, + Quan shine! #TheElectricState
Coming soon to @Popternative! pic.twitter.com/bcjX2Wbx58
— Chris Gallardo 🌊 (@chrisagwrites) March 5, 2025
For the most part, this sounds like a stinker that can’t even be saved by cool-looking robots. That’s a shame, since folks really dug Simon Stålenhag’s popular graphic novel Electric State is based on. That the movie is an incoherent mess is disappointing on its own, but it’s even sadder when you learn its budget was reportedly over $300 million, making it one of the most expensive movies ever made. Good thing the Russos are gearing up to do the next two Avengers movies, right?
The Electric State hits Netflix on Friday, March 14—so if you’re not in theaters watching Novocaine, Opus, Day the Earth Blew Up, or Black Bag, you could always watch that and see if it’s as bad as it sounds. And then come Tuesday, you can act shocked when Netflix calls it the most-watched movie on the platform but gives no hard numbers to back it up.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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