The Russos have yet to have a hit movie following leaving Marvel, according to the critics. Joe and Anthony Russo are currently batting 0 for 3 as The Electric State is currently getting destroyed on Rotten Tomatoes.
Following Avengers: Endgame, the Russo Brothers directed Cherry starring Tom Holland, which only has a 37% Rotten Tomatoes Score.
Next would be The Gray Man starring Ryan Gosling, which has a 45% Rotten Tomatoes Score.
Out next week on Netflix is The Electric State starring Marvel actor Chris Pratt and Stranger Things‘ Millie Bobby Brown. With the first batch of reviews, The Electric State Rotten Tomatoes Score is currently at 19%.
What do the reviews say?
The reviews for The Electric State are overwhelmingly negative, with most critics criticizing its lack of originality, emotional depth, and storytelling quality. Here are the key takeaways:
Negative Criticism:
- Lack of Originality: Many reviewers, including The Guardian and Looper.com, state that the movie feels like a derivative, uninspired rehash of better sci-fi films.
- Weak Storytelling & Direction: Critics such as Variety, Digital Spy, and Next Best Picture argue that the Russo Brothers mishandled the source material, making it feel hollow and uninspired.
- Failed Humor & Emotional Impact: indieWire and The Hollywood Reporter claim the film is neither funny nor emotionally engaging.
- Overuse of CGI & Artificial Feel: Mashable and Digital Mafia Talkies suggest that the movie prioritizes visual spectacle over substance, calling it a “trash movie” and “one of the worst movies of the year.”
- Criticism of its Message: Independent (UK) finds the film’s anti-technology stance forced and awkward, reducing it to a simplistic “kids should put their phones down” message.
Some Positive Points:
- Visual Effects & CGI: Deadline praises the CGI and VFX work, calling it a technical achievement.
- Millie Bobby Brown’s Performance: Mama’s Geeky highlights her as a strong lead who brings emotional weight to the film.
- “Not Terrible, But Not Great Either”: Some reviewers (JoBlo, Mama’s Geeky) acknowledge that while it’s flawed, it still has some entertainment value.
Overall Verdict:
Most critics see The Electric State as a visually impressive but soulless and uninspired sci-fi adventure. It seems to follow a pattern of the Russo Brothers’ post-Avengers work (The Gray Man, Cherry), with a bloated budget and little substance. While it has some redeeming qualities, the general consensus is that it’s a major disappointment.
Release info
The Electric Game gets released March 14, 2025 on Netflix. The film also stars Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Norman, Giancarlo Esposito and Stanley Tucci. Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Hank Azaria, Colman Domingo and Alan Tudyk join the cast in voice roles.
What’s next for the Russos?
The Russos are returning to Marvel to direct Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. According to IMDB, they also have an untitled TV mini-series in the works, and Amazon’s Citadel TV series (51% Rotten Tomatoes Score) is getting a second season.
While they haven’t stuck gold directing anything outside of Marvel, they’ve produced some quality projects including the Extraction movies starring Chris Hemsworth, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and the From TV series is really good.
