Netflix’s $320 Million ‘The Electric State’ Fails to Impress Critics and Viewers

The Russo Brothers’ dystopian sci-fi film struggles with poor reviews, low viewership, and stiff competition on the streaming platform.

The Electric State, Netflix's most expensive film to date with a $320 million budget, debuted on March 14, 2025, to overwhelmingly negative reviews and underwhelming viewership.
The film, based on Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel, holds a 14-15% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics panning its weak narrative, lackluster performances, and derivative storytelling.
Despite its high production value and praised visual effects, the movie garnered only 25.2 million views in its first weekend, far below expectations for a blockbuster release.
The Electric State has already been surpassed in Netflix’s rankings by a documentary about the 2011 Joplin tornado and a poorly reviewed superhero movie, highlighting its inability to sustain audience interest.
Originally acquired by Universal Pictures before being dropped, the project underscores the risks of Netflix’s investment in high-budget productions to compete with traditional studios.