If you’ve ever forgotten to charge your phone, imagine surviving a robot war with just a rusty drone for company. Directed by the Russo Brothers, The Electric State (2025) adapts Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel into a sci-fi spectacle dripping with retro-futuristic style.
The story follows Michelle (Brown), a girl trekking across a collapsed America to find her missing brother, aided by a chatty robot and haunted by a shady drifter (Pratt).
The Russo Brothers swap superhero capes for dystopian decay, crafting a world where abandoned malls and crumbling highways feel eerily alive.
Brown delivers her most grounded performance yet, balancing Michelle’s grief and grit without veering into melodrama. Pratt, meanwhile, layers his character with sly charm and hidden menace, making every smirk feel like a warning.
The film’s pacing stumbles slightly in the middle, lingering too long on moody landscapes, but the action sequences are worth the wait. A highway chase involving drone swarms and a hijacked tank is both chaotic and breathtaking. The retro-tech aesthetic—think Walkmans meets killer robots—gives the CGI a tactile, handcrafted feel that’s rare in modern blockbusters.
Supporting actors like Giancarlo Esposito as a paranoid survivalist add depth to the sparse cast, though some roles feel underdeveloped. The script wisely avoids overexplaining the world’s collapse, trusting viewers to piece together clues from stray news clips and graffiti. Themes of loneliness and connection hit hard, especially in quieter moments between Michelle and her robot.
The score, mixing synthwave melodies with eerie silence, amplifies the film’s emotional beats without overpowering them. A scene where Michelle dances alone to a cracked cassette tape is hauntingly beautiful, showcasing Brown’s physical acting chops. While the ending leans into ambiguity, it feels earned, leaving room for interpretation rather than frustration.
The Electric State isn’t perfect, but its bold visuals and heartfelt performances make it a standout in the sci-fi genre. It’s a reminder that even in a world overrun by machines, humanity—and a good robot sidekick—can still save the day. Just don’t forget to bring spare batteries.
