It’s becoming increasingly unclear whether the Marvel Cinematic Universe needs Joe and Anthony Russo more, or if the Russo brothers need the MCU. Since directing Avengers: Endgame, the highest-grossing film of all time at its peak, the duo has struggled to find their footing outside the franchise. Their post-MCU projects, including Cherry and The Gray Man, failed to impress, yet Netflix decided to double down with them for The Electric State—a costly gamble that ultimately doesn’t pay off.
With a staggering $320 million budget, The Electric State aims for an expansive, post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure but lands somewhere between generic and forgettable. Set in an alternate 1990s where humans and robots have waged war, the story follows Millie Bobby Brown’s Michelle, who embarks on a cross-country journey to find her missing brother Christopher (Woody Norman). She’s joined by Cosmo, a large, sentient robot (voiced by Alan Tudyk), and a war-hardened veteran, Keats (Chris Pratt). Along the way, they encounter figures like Stanley Tucci’s Ethan Skate, the CEO of SENTRE, who is revealed to be exploiting Christopher’s brainpower for sinister purposes.
The film’s cast is undeniably impressive, with Ke Huy Quan, Giancarlo Esposito, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Colman Domingo, Jenny Slate, and Brian Cox lending their talents. Millie Bobby Brown brings an emotional weight that carries parts of the movie, while Chris Pratt leans into his usual quippy, Russo-friendly persona. Stanley Tucci, though restrained, delivers an appropriately villainous performance. Yet even with a stacked ensemble, The Electric State feels devoid of real personality.
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Visually, it aspires to be a Spielbergian sci-fi epic but lacks the sense of wonder that defines Spielberg’s best work. The heavy-handed world-building and sluggish pacing drain any excitement from the film, making it feel like a Ready Player One knockoff without the nostalgic charm. The tone is flat, the set pieces uninspired, and for all the money spent, the world itself never feels immersive or fully realized.
For a movie with this much spectacle, The Electric State is shockingly dull. Instead of a thrilling adventure, it meanders through a series of uninspired set pieces, failing to create any lasting impact. Perhaps the MCU and the Russo brothers are better off together because when left to their own devices, the Russos seem incapable of crafting compelling original stories. With Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, they might have another shot at recapturing their blockbuster magic. But if The Electric State is any indication, they need the MCU as much as the MCU needs them.
Score: 3/10
The Electric State (2025)
- Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Norman, Giancarlo Esposito, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Hank Azaria, Colman Domingo, Alan Tudyk, Holly Hunter
- Director: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction
- Runtime: 128 minutes
- Rated: PG-13
- Release Date: March 14, 2025
