Netflix’s latest blockbuster, The Electric State, is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Despite its staggering $320 million budget and an all-star cast led by Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, the film has been widely panned by critics. However, its poor reviews haven’t stopped it from dominating Netflix’s global charts.
Film critics have been brutal in their assessments. The Times called it “a turgid eyesore” and “top-dollar tedium,” while The Hollywood Reporter dismissed it as “slick but dismally soulless.” The New York Times went even further, labeling it “obvious, garish, and just plain dumb.” Paste Magazine mocked the film’s massive budget, calling it “one hell of an artistically neutered, sanitized boondoggle.”
However, not all reviews were scathing. Empire found it “breezily watchable,” awarding it three stars, while The Telegraph praised its “Spielbergian” qualities, giving it four stars. Yet, with a dismal 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the overall verdict from critics is clear: The Electric State is one of Netflix’s most expensive critical failures.
Despite the harsh reviews, the film has proven that star power and spectacle still drive viewership. It shot straight to number one on Netflix’s charts after its release, proving that in the streaming era, audience interest often outweighs critical consensus.
Netflix has built a reputation for producing glossy, big-budget films that are frequently panned but still attract millions of viewers. The Electric State is just the latest example—proof that, for Netflix, commercial success doesn’t always require critical acclaim.
