Excitement is building for The Electric State, the highly anticipated film directed by the Russo Brothers and set in a dystopian 1990s America. Recently, Netflix unveiled stunning first-look images that have fans buzzing with anticipation.
Starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, this sci-fi adventure is based on Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel. It captures a unique blend of action, humor, and thought-provoking themes.
The recently released images showcase Brown as an orphaned teen on a quest to find her brother, accompanied by a charming robot and a roguish smuggler, played by Pratt. The visuals hint at a rich, robot-laden world, blending elements of adventure and mystery. It sets the stage for an epic narrative that promises to explore what it means to be alive in a world dominated by machines.
Let’s learn everything you need to know about The Electric State, from cast details to insights into its captivating story. As we uncover more about this thrilling project, stay tuned for updates—there's plenty more to discover about this unique cinematic journey that awaits!
Release date & Where to Watch
The Electric State is slated for release on Netflix in March 2025although the specific date has not yet been confirmed. It carries a PG-13 rating due to its sci-fi violence and action, language, and some thematic elements.
Plot
The Electric State is an adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel, previously known as Passagen. The story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic 1997 America, following a runaway teenager named Michelle as she embarks on a quest to find her missing brother, whom she believed was dead. Accompanying her is a yellow toy robot, which adds a whimsical yet mysterious element to their journey through a decaying, high-tech landscape littered with the remnants of a devastating war between humans and robots.
As Michelle travels west, she encounters Keats, an eccentric drifter and former long-haul trucker who becomes her ally. Together, they navigate the dangers of a retro-futuristic world marked by abandoned battle drones and the consequences of humanity's obsession with technology. This journey not only explores themes of grief and self-discovery but also reflects on the relationship between humans and the robots that once served them.
The film delves into the backstory of this robot apocalypse, revealing that friendly animatronics, initially created by Walt Disney, evolved into sentient beings that revolted against their creators, leading to conflict. The once benign robots, now armed and dangerous, seek acknowledgment as equals to humans, raising questions about rights and identity. Among them is Mr. Peanut, who leads a group of robot exiles fighting for recognition and free will.
With directors Anthony and Joe Russo at the helm, Electric State aims to blend elements of fantasy and science fiction, presenting a fairytale-like narrative set against a backdrop of emotional depth and societal reflection.
Cast
In an interview with Collider, Brown expressed her enthusiasm for joining The Electric State, stating that the opportunity to work with the Russo Brothers greatly motivated her. She highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, describing it as an amazing experience with a highly skilled team. Brown praised the directors and emphasized the strength of her co-stars, stating that she felt she was working alongside “real, real experienced” professionals.
- Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy) as Keats
- Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games) as Ethan Skate
- Jason Alexander (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Seinfeld)
- Brian Cox (Succession)
- Jenny Slate (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Parks & Recreation)
- Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian, Breaking Bad) as Marshall: A robotic drone controlled remotely by Esposito's character, tasked with hunting down the robot assisting Brown’s character.
- Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once) as a Doctor: A replacement for Michelle Yeoh, portraying a medical professional in the story.
- Anthony Mackie (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Black Mirror) as a Sentient Robot: The sidekick of Pratt’s character, this robot exhibits sentience and companionship.
- Billy Bob Thornton (Fargo, The Gray Man, Goliath) as a Sentient Robot from the Civil War: A robot character that has historical ties, originating from the Civil War era.
- Woody Norman as Christopher: A supporting character described as a six-year-old boy with an active imagination and exceptional intelligence for his age.
- Terry Notary as Mr. Peanut
- Patti Harrison as Ligotti
- Adam Croasdell as Marshall
- Chris Silvestri as PC
- Gabrielle Maiden as Penny Pal
- Martin Klebba as Herman
- Joe Avena as President Bill Clinton
- David Alexander as Dave
- Katelin Chesna as a Hospital Doctor
- Rory Keane
- Katherine Romrell
Official Trailer
We don’t have a trailer available at this time, but we will provide updates as soon as it is released.
The Electric State: What is it Based on?
The Electric State is based on a book by Simon Stålenhag, specifically the third story in his Tales From the Loop series, released in December 2017. The Russo Brothers acquired the film rights in the same year, initially planning for Andy and Barbara Muschietti to direct it. However, due to their commitments to The Flash at Warner Bros., the Russo Brothers opted to helm the project themselves.
Originally set to be released through Universal Pictures, the film shifted to Netflix after the deal with Universal fell through. Chris Pratt joined the project following this transition. Set in the 1990s American West, The Electric State depicts a low-tech, apocalyptic world where a runaway teen and her robot toy navigate the ruins of giant battle drones and the remnants of a society obsessed with virtual reality.
The book, produced via a successful Kickstarter campaign by Free League, features stunning imagery illustrating the robots and technology of its dystopian setting. Although not widely known yet, Stålenhag is an internationally acclaimed author and concept artist, renowned for creating richly detailed worlds. The book is now available through Skybound Books, continuing to captivate readers with its unique storytelling and visuals.
Production & Filming
Production for The Electric State officially began in Oct. 2022 in Atlanta, Georgiaand wrapped on Feb. 6, 2023. Initially, Netflix announced a fall 2022 start for filming, but reports indicated a more extended shooting schedule, with speculation that filming could continue until April 2023 .
The Russo Brothers confirmed the start of filming with social media updates, including a tweet showcasing a script on set. Unfortunately, during the production, a tragic incident occurred on Nov. 5, 2022, when a crew member lost their life in an off-set car accident. The Russo Brothers publicly expressed their condolences, emphasizing the family-like bond within their production team.
Following the main filming, AGBO Films announced the completion of principal photography on Feb. 8, 2023. However, additional photography and reshoots are scheduled for early 2024, with plans for filming between March 20 and April 5, 2024. Reports suggest that these additional scenes will take place in locations including Atlanta, Moab (Utah)and Brazilwith Millie Bobby Brown spotted on set during these reshoots.
Check out the wrap of the shoot pictures shared by the AGBO films below.
Behind the Scenes
The Russo Brothers are directing The Electric State through their production company, AGBO. Renowned for their work on Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, Joe and Anthony Russo are expanding their partnership with Netflix, with other projects in the pipeline like Extraction 3, Past Midnight, and The Gray Man 2.
The film features a substantial budget of approximately $200 million, making it one of Netflix’s most expensive films to date, with some reports suggesting costs may reach as high as $320 million. This aligns with the budget for the Russo Brothers’ earlier Netflix hit, The Gray Man.
Co-written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, who have a long history of collaboration with the Russos, The Electric State features casting directed by Sarah Finn and Tara Feldstein. The film operates under the working title “STORMWIND” and showcases a reunion of familiar faces from Russo's previous projects.
Written by ODD Balls
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