The Electric State Review: Finding Unexpected Connections and Family

The Electric State is set in an alternate 1990s where robots and humans have gone to war. Directed by the Russo brothers, the film plunges into the world of science fiction and 90s nostalgia. It touches upon the importance of human connections, the dangers of technology, and unexpected friendships.

Check out our The Electric State review below, and remember spoilers ahead!

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The Electric State Review – Breaking Down Plot, Setting, Characters

Plot

There are two main plot lines within The Electric State: robots vs. humans and the search for Michelle’s presumed dead brother.

Robots vs. Humans

Robots vs. humans is the overarching theme, set in the 1990s during a post-war period. After creating robots to work jobs humans didn’t want, they began to tire of working constantly and not having a say. This caused a revolt from the robots, prompting a war between the two groups.

As the war went on, the robots made significant ground until Ethan Skate created the Neurocaster that projected part of a human’s mind into a robot, evening the score. The robots were defeated and banished to the exclusion zone in the southwest part of the country.

This problem is a driving force throughout the story, as humans and robots have created a somewhat steady peace but are quite at odds with each other. The distrust increases as Michelle and her newfound partner Keats plunge deep into the exclusion zone to find Dr. Amherst, who knows what happened to Michelle’s brother Christopher.

Alongside them are Herman and Cosmo (Christopher), two sentient robots that have defied the odds and teamed up with humans. As both humans and robots realize the connections possible between them, it culminates in a great final battle to save Christopher and shut down the Neurocaster for good.

Michelle and Christopher

Weaved into the main plot line is Michelle finding her brother Christopher, who she thought was dead after a car crash that took their parents. Instead, Christopher’s intelligence was used by Ethan Skate and his team to create the Neurocaster network, turning the tide of the war.

Michelle interacts with the sentient robot Cosmo, who has a piece of Christopher’s conscience, and gets to reconnect with someone she thought was gone forever. Though at the end, she must unplug Christopher and let him go to disconnect the Neurocaster, she finally gets the closure she needs.

Both plot lines worked well, interweaving and showing that humans and robots can work together and overcome their past. I wish there was a little more backstory into Christopher and Michelle’s life before, or maybe flashes of what happened to Christopher after the crash, but the small hints we got were enough to understand what was going on.

Plus, I think the robots vs. humans plot is something very real to consider, as we are constantly using devices and technology in one way or another, and if these things had sentience, how would that change our view?

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Setting

I think the setting is one of the coolest parts of this movie, as it’s not set in the future like many science fiction films, but instead during an alternate 1990s. This allows for some nostalgic moments, from the types of clothing the characters are wearing to the objects around them.

Though I probably didn’t pick up on all of them since I’m not from this generation, it was very interesting to see a world with this amount of technology that is somehow new but still outdated. One of the most prevalent moments of this is when Michelle first meets Cosmo in her foster parent’s house, and he takes off this incredible piece of technology (Neurocaster) to grab a corded phone to call the police.

This contrast works well for the movie and makes the sweeping views of Seattle, the southwest, and the robot’s new home stick in your mind. I wish there were more scenes with everyone hooked up to Neurocasters while their drones do the dirty jobs, but that’s a small detail compared to the larger setting.

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Characters

While some reviews have downplayed or criticized the actor’s performances of their characters, I enjoyed how they portrayed themselves and interacted with each other. My favorite character has to be Michelle, but Herman’s character was just too funny, and the fact that Anthony Mackie was voicing the robot made it even better.

I especially enjoyed the ending scene when Keats thought Herman was dead. Keats is spilling his feelings and tears, when in reality, Herman is just saving power to transfer to his smallest form. I think Chris Pratt did a good job creating this down-beaten outcast character, and the hairstyle was wild.

Back to Michelle, I think Millie Bobby Brown continues to show her acting prowess. She deftly creates this girl who’s lost her family and has no place in the world. She finally gains some hope when finding Cosmo and will do anything to protect the brother she thought she lost.

By far, my favorite character scene would be between Cosmo and Michelle. They are watching episodes of Cosmo in the shopping mall and are joined by other robots. It not only shows the deep connection the brother and sister had but also the possibility that humans and robots together.

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Prominent Actors in The Electric State

While Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt may be the stars in The Electric State, several other talented actors appear. Check out some of the prominent actors and actresses in the film, along with other productions they have been in.

• Millie Bobby Brown (Michelle) – Stranger Things, Enola Holmes, Damsel
• Chris Pratt (Keats) – Parks and Recreation, Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World
• Stanley Tucci (Ethan Skate) – Conclave, The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games
• Woody Harrelson (Mr. Peanut) – Now You See Me, True Detective, Natural Born Killers
• Ke Huy Quan (Dr. Amherst) – Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Goonies, Love Hurts
• Anthony Mackie (Herman) – Captain America: Brave New World, Elevation, Twisted Metal

What Streaming Service Has The Electric State?

Subscribers can stream The Electric State now on Netflix. The movie released on March 14, 2025, and is available to watch on the service.

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Final Thoughts

All in all, I think this was a fun movie, having a blend of comedy and more serious moments. It allowed both the plot and the characters to shine through. I think the setting worked the best, mainly because I am fascinated with alternate worlds and the endless “what if” questions that populate the science fiction and fantasy genres.

While I don’t think it would rank in my best movies ever watched list, I definitely could see watching this movie again and plunging back into the world of Michelle and the Neurocaster.