Review: The Electric State — A Sci-Fi Road Trip with Heart, Robots, and Rusting Dreams
Directed by: Joe Russo and Anthony Russo
Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Woody Harrelson, Ke Huy Quan, Giancarlo Esposito, Stanley Tucci, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, and others
Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Drama
Country: United States
In The Electric State, the Russo Brothers deliver a visually arresting and emotionally layered science fiction film that combines a post-apocalyptic road journey with intimate storytelling. Based on the graphic novel by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag, the film blends striking digital landscapes with grounded human performances to tell a story of loss, connection, and the remnants of technology in a broken world.
Plot Overview
Set in an alternate version of the United States, the story follows a teenage orphan named Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) as she travels across a ruined landscape to find her long-lost brother. Accompanied by a quiet, mysterious robot and later joined by a smuggler (Chris Pratt) and his sarcastic sidekick (voiced by Ke Huy Quan), Michelle navigates a desolate America littered with the decaying remnants of a failed technological age.
What begins as a journey of hope quickly reveals itself to be a confrontation with the past—both personal and societal. Along the way, Michelle encounters both danger and unexpected compassion as the film gradually unveils the collapse of the civilization that came before.
Visual Style and Direction
The Russos use a muted color palette and sweeping cinematography to reflect the film’s themes of decay and longing. The influence of Simon Stålenhag’s art is everywhere—abandoned drones dot the skies, rusting mechanical titans lie half-buried in fields, and vast highways lead to nowhere. Cinematographer Trent Opaloch (a frequent Russo collaborator) captures both the scale of the desolation and the intimacy of the human relationships within it.
Despite the grandeur of the visuals, the film remains focused on character. The robot companion, for example, is not a flashy CGI creation but a subdued, emotional presence—more akin to The Iron Giant than Transformers.
Performances
Millie Bobby Brown anchors the film with a performance that is both emotionally raw and refreshingly understated. Her portrayal of Michelle avoids the typical teenage hero clichés. She is resourceful, yes, but also grieving, searching, and unsure—qualities that make her journey resonate.
Chris Pratt takes on a more grounded role than usual, and it suits him. His smuggler character is jaded but layered, with a guarded sense of loyalty. Ke Huy Quan provides comic relief that never feels forced, and his vocal work adds unexpected depth to a character that could have easily been one-note.
The supporting cast reads like a who’s who of character actors—Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Jenny Slate, Helen Hunt, Stanley Tucci, and others all make strong impressions, even in limited screen time. Giancarlo Esposito, as always, brings gravitas to his role as a former government scientist with morally gray motives.
Themes and Storytelling
Beneath its science fiction shell, The Electric State is a story about memory and identity. What do we retain of ourselves when everything around us collapses? How do we preserve the people we love when the world no longer supports human connection?
The film also engages subtly with ideas of digital dependency, artificial intelligence, and emotional alienation. Unlike many post-apocalyptic films that focus on external survival, this one is far more interested in internal landscapes—grief, hope, guilt, and the search for redemption.
Music and Sound
The score by Steve Jablonsky enhances the film’s emotional tone without overwhelming it. Blending analog synth textures with orchestral elements, the music deepens the film’s melancholy atmosphere. Sound design is equally strong, particularly in scenes involving the robots—where the clunking of worn-out gears and quiet whirring of circuits become expressions of character in their own right.
Behind the Scenes and Trivia
- The film’s production involved extensive collaboration with Simon Stålenhag, whose concept art was directly adapted into many of the film’s designs.
- Much of the film was shot using virtual production technology similar to The Mandalorian, blending real locations with high-definition digital backdrops.
- Millie Bobby Brown reportedly worked closely with the Russo Brothers to shape her character’s emotional arc, contributing ideas to key dialogue scenes.
Final Verdict
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
The Electric State is a meditative and beautifully crafted science fiction film that explores the ruins of a future society with empathy and imagination. It’s not a loud or action-heavy blockbuster. Instead, it chooses stillness, longing, and quiet moments of connection. For viewers willing to slow down and absorb its atmosphere, it offers a deeply rewarding cinematic experience.
It is one of the most ambitious and heartfelt entries in recent science fiction cinema, and it firmly establishes itself as more than just a visual spectacle—it is a story of human fragility and enduring hope.
Ready to experience The Electric State for yourself?
Don’t miss this unforgettable sci-fi journey across a broken America. Stream or download it now on your favorite platform—check Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Apple TV+ for availability.