Hate Watching with Dan and Tony
In "The Electric State," Netflix's visually stunning but narratively bewildering $300 million sci-fi adventure, we're transported to an alternate 1990s America recovering from a robot war that never quite makes sense. What begins as a promising exploration of technology addiction and human-robot relations quickly devolves into a confusing rescue mission with emotional stakes that never land.
The Russo Brothers clearly poured resources into creating a visually distinctive world based on Simon Stålenhag's artwork, but neglected to fill this beautiful shell with meaningful substance. Millie Bobby Brown portrays Michelle, a young woman searching for her brother in this post-war landscape, yet her performance lacks the emotional range needed to carry such a high-concept story. Chris Pratt as her reluctant companion Keats similarly struggles to bring depth to his character, with their on-screen chemistry noticeably absent throughout.
What makes "The Electric State" particularly frustrating is its squandered potential. The premise—humans splitting their consciousness between robot bodies and virtual fantasies—raises fascinating questions about identity, addiction, and reality that remain largely unexplored. Instead, we're treated to a third act that collapses under its own illogic, culminating in an ending that contradicts the very world the film has established. The robot characters, ironically, demonstrate more personality than most of their human counterparts.
For all its flaws, the film does deliver impressive visual spectacle and some standout voice performances from its supporting cast. However, these elements only highlight what might have been had the same care been applied to the screenplay. "The Electric State" ultimately stands as a cautionary tale about prioritizing aesthetics over substance—a beautiful but hollow experience that, like its virtual reality users, remains disconnected from anything meaningful.
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