Netflix most expensive film but fans all have one huge complaint
The Electric State, starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, is Netflix's most expensive movie to date - but it has been savaged by critics, who branded it 'dull as dirt'
With a reported budget of $320 million, an all-star cast, and a mere 14 per cent approval rating from critics, perhaps that's all you need to know about Netflix's latest spectacle (or should we say disaster?), The Electric State.
The film boasts a stellar cast including Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Jenny Slate, Giancarlo Esposito, Jason Alexander, Brian Cox, and Anthony Mackie, who all bring their talents to a mix of live-action and voiceover roles in this 2025 sci-fi flick.
Directed and produced by the Russo brothers, Anthony and Joe Russo, the screenplay is loosely based on Simon Stålenhag's eponymous 2018 illustrated novel, adapted for the screen by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.
Released on Netflix on March 14 this year, The Electric State is without a doubt the streaming giant's most expensive film to date, with a staggering $300 million plus price tag resting on its action-packed shoulders. The film paints a picture of an alternate 1990 where a war between robots and humans has left the world in chaos, reports Surrey Live.
Despite the criticism, The Electric State managed to rack up 25.2 million views within the first three days of its release. It even inspired a video game, The Electric State: Kid Cosmo, released by Netflix Games for iOS and Android just four days after the film's debut on the platform.
However, none of this could shield The Electric State from the harsh reviews it received from critics.
One critic didn't hold back, saying: "It looks phenomenal - the quality of the special effects is exceptional. But this is soulless, emotionally inert storytelling."
Another reviewer was less than impressed, writing: "The plot is a watered-down grab-bag of old, tired ideas."
A different take by a reviewer labelled the movie as "The movie is obvious, garish and just plain dumb", while yet another branded it "dull as dirt". Meanwhile, The Electric State was criticised for having "no soul, no originality, just a great big multicolour wedge of digital content".
However, cinema-goers seemed to have enjoyed the spectacle much more, with one fan saying: "This movie is absolutely fire. What were the critics thinking when they made a review. This movie is always action-packed, has a beaming audience and has a good mix of action, horror and humour. Definitely worth a watch!".
Adding to the positive vibes, another viewer highlighted their enjoyment saying: "I really enjoyed this movie. It was fun, light, creative, and had a non-formulaic plot. No, this is not a critics darling or a Cannes contender, but I would watch it again. What a fun cast! I wish Hollywood took more risks like this."
Disagreeing with the harsh professional opinions, one individual recommended the film as a "fun watch" and stood puzzled over the critical bashing, suggesting The Electric State was "better than so many garbage movies".
Millie Bobby Brown gushed about working with Chris Pratt, telling Extra: "I actually met him at an awards show many, many, many years ago. And I remember freaking out and going, 'Oh, my God! That's Chris Pratt!' To be able to - years, years, years forward - to work alongside him is a dream come true."
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