The Electric State has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about films on Netflix following its release on March 14, 2025. Directed by the Russo Brothers, known for their work on several Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) blockbusters, this sci-fi adventure showcases the immense talents of actors like Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt against a backdrop of retro-futuristic technology. Yet, the film's release has been met with polarized reactions from audiences and critics alike.
Despite the buzz surrounding its launch, early reviews were less than kind. The Electric State garnered a dismal 14% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, who criticized the film for prioritizing style over substance. MovieWeb's Matt Mahler remarked, "the logic and the contextual elements of this world are so poorly developed, it makes the robots and their storyline almost impossible to enjoy." Yet, audiences seemed to disagree, with the film receiving a 75% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Popcornmeter, showcasing the divide between critic and viewer reception.
Adding to the film's intrigue is its staggering budget, reported at $320 million, making it Netflix's most expensive project to date. The film follows the story of Michelle, played by Brown, who is on a quest to rescue her younger brother, believed to be dead, teaming up with Keats, portrayed by Pratt, and his robot sidekick, Herman, voiced by Anthony Mackie. The film's visual effects and production value have been praised, bolstering its appeal as escapist entertainment.
Following its premiere, the Russo brothers noted their interest in exploring the Electric State universe beyond the feature film. During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Joe Russo revealed, "We love immersive worlds, so we always try to build worlds with the potential for future storytelling." He mentioned the release of The Electric State: Kid Cosmo, a tie-in mobile game set to launch on March 18, just four days post the movie's debut. While fans might have hoped for news of a sequel, Joe clarified, "there are currently no plans for a sequel, but we are discussing potential ideas for a TV series related to the world of The Electric State."
The film’s controversial reception raises questions about its future. Will Netflix invest more resources to expand upon this universe? The Russo brothers' previous work with high-budget content suggests they can create compelling stories, but will this translate effectively to television? The potential for scaling down production costs remains uncertain, as creating the very visual spectacle showcased in the film may prove challenging without significant financial backing.
The release of The Electric State has not only been marked by its logistical aspects but also by Hollywood's larger trends of merging individual narratives with expansive franchises. The Russo brothers, who have had their successes with the MCU, can leverage their past experiences to create content aimed at drawing viewers back onto Netflix’s platform. It is worth noting, this artistic endeavor was not devoid of human labor from other MCU veterans; besides directing, the Russo brothers also enlisted Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely as writers. They have also worked on MCU staples such as Avengers: Endgame and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Among the cast, several names are easily recognizable from various MCU projects. Chris Pratt, already famed for his role as Star-Lord, finds himself centered again as Keats. The contrasting journeys of the characters draw parallels with the actors' established roles, which audiences readily recognize. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Esposito, known for his role as Sidewinder in the newly released Captain America: Brave New World, plays Colonel Bradbury, adding another layer of MCU crossover:
Stanley Tucci, playing the antagonist Ethan Skate, mirrors his MCU character, Dr. Abraham Erskine, with some differences; the transformation from hero-maker to villain gives depth to his role.
This mixture of high-profile actors and directors creates interest not only for fans of sci-fi but also for those deeply invested in the Marvel franchise. The interplay of narrative threads within the film reflects the larger questions of identity, loyalty, and conflict—themes widely explored across numerous Marvel properties.
Audiences may wonder if the disconnect between the critics and common viewers might impact Netflix's determination to continue the franchise, especially when the community response could be seen as favorable amid the onslaught of negative reviews. This dichotomy is not new for Netflix; several projects previously faced similar outcomes, where box office success differed from critic reviews.
Still, Netflix's approach to success is less traditional since they do not measure performance through box office returns but rather through viewership and engagement metrics. Before any decisions are made about the direction of Electric State, Netflix will surely take stock of these figures against its high production costs.
Fans of science fiction and those longing for the Russo brothers' next venture will likely remain engaged with future developments concerning The Electric State. With potential explorations through different mediums like mobile games and perhaps television shows, there seems to be hope for the narrative to extend past the confines of the original film.
For now, The Electric State stands as both an impressive spectacle and a cautionary tale of balancing artistic expression with audience expectations. Whether it can carve out a larger narrative universe remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly ignited conversations—indicating it has something to say beyond its two-hour runtime.
