Netflix has dropped the final trailer for its most expensive movie ever, The Electric State, starring Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown. This Anthony and Joe Russo project, while grand in scale, definitely lacks gripping execution.
There is still time before the movie is released on Netflix, but based on what we have seen so far, the film appears to be meh.
Based on Simon Stålenhag’s novel of the same name, the movie revolves around Michelle (Brown), who searches for her lost brother with the help of a Cosmo bot. However, things get complicated when Ethan Skate (played by Stanley Tucci) starts hunting them down, as he wants to get his hands on the bot. Pratt plays the duo’s protector, Keats.
The final trailer teases a large-scale robot rebellion against humans. Despite such high stakes, the clip fails to impress. How? Well, mainly because of the tone it sets— a generic, mundane, family-friendly adventure. Instead of exploring and bringing the source material’s introspective and melancholic tone to the screen, the movie seems more like a typical Hollywood big-budget project with just enough action and humour.
In other words, it seems like the upcoming Russo Brothers project has failed to capture the very essence of Stålenhag’s novel, which benefits immensely from its uniqueness. The important themes from the book—human connection, loneliness, and the side effects of technology—have all taken a backseat. Instead, we have a movie that prioritises action between giant robots and humans.
Another thing that should worry Netflix executives is The Electric State’s massive $320 million budget. We know that the movie is a product of the ongoing deal between the Russos (AGBO) and the streamer. But a budget this big for a movie this mediocre? It doesn’t make any sense!
To truly emerge as a success, the movie needs record-breaking viewership during its OTT run—something we are not very sure about, considering the surprising lack of promotion from the actors and the makers. We are less than two weeks away from the movie’s release on Netflix, yet there is no hype among the audience.
Yes, the globally recognised faces of Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown will attract a sizable number of viewers to Netflix for The Electric State. But is the popularity of these two actors enough to save a mediocre $320 million movie?
Other talents in the movie are Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Giancarlo Esposito, and Stanley Tucci.
Here’s the final trailer for The Electric State, scheduled to release on Netflix on March 14. Stay tuned for more updates.
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