In a return to large-scale filmmaking, directors Anthony and Joe Russo present “The Electric State,” a lavish production estimated at $320 million, making it Netflix’s costliest project so far. This movie is set in an alternate 1990s where robots and AI have been part of daily life for several decades. The film features Millie Bobby Brown as Michelle and Chris Pratt as Keats, and delves into a post-war America where humans and self-aware robots fought a devastating conflict. In the aftermath of this struggle, characters must traverse a world marked by technological wreckage and social division. Although inspired by Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel, the Russo brothers have developed their unique perspective on a world where human-robot relations descended into destructive chaos.
WARNING: Spoilers below for The Electric State
In the world depicted in “The Electric State”, advancements in robotics happened earlier than in our reality, with Walt Disney being credited as the pioneer of functional robots in 1945. Initially, these robots were developed for Disney’s theme parks to interact with guests and perform simple tasks, transforming entertainment and setting the stage for future advancements. Over time, the technology progressed significantly, leading to more complex and capable robots taking on demanding assignments.
By 1990, when the film starts, robots designed for various sectors like construction, agriculture, sanitation, and many other manual labor tasks that humans typically shied away from were already in use. This mechanical workforce revolutionized the American economy and way of life, leading to a society where people had ample leisure time while robots handled most of the work. However, this convenience brought about an unexpected problem: as artificial intelligence systems became more intricate, these robots started exhibiting self-awareness, perceiving themselves as oppressed workers.
How the Robot Revolution Sparked The Electric State‘s War
The evolution of robots from useful devices into potential adversaries started with requests for change coming from their metallic workforce. An unexpected leader emerged in this struggle – a mechanical replica of the Mr. Peanut icon (voiced by Woody Harrelson) – who rallied the robots to stage peaceful protests, seeking acknowledgment of their self-awareness and rights as thinking entities. Initially met with curiosity and laughter, these protests gradually gained traction, causing human reactions to turn progressively hostile. Anti-robot sentiments quickly spread, fueled by concerns about job loss and deeper, existential worries about humanity’s role in a world dominated by intelligent machines.
With the size of protests growing, so did the hostility towards robots. The relationship between people and machines became increasingly tense, with humans responding more violently to robot demands. Initially starting as small demonstrations, this conflict expanded into a full-blown war, culminating in humanity declaring that all robots should be eliminated.
In the initial phases of the battle, it was the automated combatants that held an upper hand. Robots had a clear advantage over their human adversaries due to not needing rest or food. This meant they could keep fighting non-stop, while human troops grappled with fatigue and logistical issues. For a brief moment, it looked like humanity was on the brink of defeat. However, everything changed with the creation of the Neurocaster, a helmet that enabled humans to transfer their minds into mechanical bodies. This development allowed soldiers to operate robotic fighters remotely, merging human strategic thinking with robot endurance.
In a significant turn of events, the balance of power in conflict changed drastically as humans controlled robots equipped for battle situations. Interestingly, these robots were originally designed for non-military purposes, not warfare. Consequently, when faced with machines explicitly made for combat, the rebellion started to weaken.
After our loss, as the voice of the mechanical collective, I put my signature on a peace accord with the human powers that be. The terms set clear boundaries for our existence, confining all surviving automatons to a defined area called the Exclusion Zone – a 100-square-mile expanse where we could carry on without human intrusion. Any robot spotted beyond these limits was fair game for the Robot Deactivation Squad, an elite team responsible for tracking down and disabling renegade machines.
By 1994, as depicted in the story of “The Electric State“, American society had adapted significantly to a life devoid of robotic aid. The technology known as Neurocaster, which played a pivotal role during warfare, was reimagined for civilian uses, enabling humans to control mechanical bodies for work purposes. This controlled the spread of actual robots within the Exclusion Zone. This technological balance sustained human supremacy while ensuring continued mechanical productivity.
The Electric State is currently available on Netflix.
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2025-03-14 18:15