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Sci-fi is thriving like never before, and 2025 is proof that the genre isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Whether on the big screen or via streaming platforms, science fiction fans have an abundance of stories to explore.

And now, Netflix is raising the stakes—spending a record-breaking $320 million on The Electric State, a high-concept film that blends retro nostalgia, robot rebellion, and a cross-country journey into one visually stunning package.

A Blockbuster by the Russo Brothers

The Electric State is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the duo best known for helming Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.

This time, they’ve stepped away from superheroes to bring to life Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel, a richly illustrated vision of a futuristic yet oddly familiar America.

Set in an alternate 1994, the film follows a teenage girl traveling across a post-robot-rebellion version of the American West.

Accompanied by a cartoon-like robot and a smuggler with his quirky sidekick, she searches for her missing brother in a world where humanity and artificial intelligence coexist—often uncomfortably.

An All-Star Cast and Eye-Watering Budget

With names like Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Woody Harrelson, Giancarlo Esposito, and Stanley Tucci, the cast is stacked with talent.

That massive budget doesn’t just cover star salaries, though—it also funds impressive visual effects that bring the film’s uncanny robots and surreal landscapes to life.

Netflix is clearly betting big on this project, aiming to offer viewers a sci-fi experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly different.

The visual design, in particular, stands out. The world feels like a blend of ’90s nostalgia and futuristic weirdness, with robots that look like they wandered off a carnival ride—but with emotions and depth that often feel more human than the actual characters.

Not the Best Sci-Fi of the Year—But a Fascinating One

Despite its ambition, The Electric State might not be the sci-fi masterpiece of 2025. Its plot treads well-worn territory, falling into predictable road movie tropes and narrative clichés that prevent it from reaching the genre’s upper echelon.

After a somewhat formulaic introduction, the story settles into a rhythm of episodic encounters, light action, and sentimental reflections on technology and family.

That said, it’s not without charm. The bond between the characters—especially between Chris Pratt’s Keats and his robot companion Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie)—brings surprising warmth.

The mechanical characters, in fact, often feel more emotionally complex than their human counterparts, offering subtle commentary on identity, empathy, and what it means to be “alive.”

A Retro-Futuristic World That Lingers

What really sets The Electric State apart is its alternate-universe 1990s setting, which feels like an aesthetic love letter to a time that never quite was.

From the faded Americana to the eerie, almost childlike design of its machines, the film leans hard into melancholic nostalgia, supported by top-tier production design and carefully crafted VFX.

It’s this worldbuilding that sticks with you. While the script may not break new ground, the visuals and tone offer something unique in the current sci-fi landscape—especially for families looking to share a popcorn-filled evening without diving too deep into dark or cerebral territory.

A Sci-Fi Adventure Best Suited for Family Movie Night

In the end, The Electric State isn’t trying to rewrite the rules of the genre.

It’s a film that entertains more than it challenges, filled with endearing characters, sleek robot designs, and a world that feels at once nostalgic and alien.

While it doesn’t fully explore the deeper themes it teases—like technological overreach or societal breakdown—it delivers a solid, visually rich ride that will likely appeal to a broad audience.

It may not become a sci-fi classic, but as the most expensive streaming sci-fi film ever made, it’s certainly worth a watch—if only to see what a $320 million vision of the future looks like when filtered through the lens of the past.