Russo Brothers Struggle to Shine: ‘The Electric State’ Tanks Outside Marvel’s Shadow

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Summary

  • The Electric State movie by the Russo Brothers is critically panned, with 21% on Rotten Tomatoes and 32% on Metacritic.
  • The Russo Brothers’ track record outside Marvel is underwhelming, with recent flops like Cherry, The Gray Man, and Citadel.
  • The duo needs a creative reset after failing to deliver strong, character-driven storytelling in high-budget films.

Initial feedback for Netflix’s “The Electric State” has been less than favorable, casting doubts on the Russo Brothers’ upcoming project. At this point, it seems that the high-priced sci-fi adaptation, set for release on March 14, may unfortunately join the ranks of their previous non-Marvel films that have failed to make a significant impact. The Russo Brothers are currently grappling with the challenge of producing a successful film outside of their familiar Marvel universe.

As a diehard cinema enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly anticipating “The Electric State,” an adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s critically acclaimed graphic novel. Initially, the Russo Brothers’ involvement seemed unusual for this dystopian sci-fi tale. The peculiar trailers and Netflix promotional materials didn’t exactly instill confidence in me. However, after watching the movie, it appears my initial doubts were justified, as it seems to have joined their list of non-Marvel misfires.

The Electric State Gets Terrible First Reviews

Did Netflix’s $300 Million Gamble Misfire?

Initial responses to “The Electric State” by critics are far from favorable for the Russo Brothers. With a substantial budget of $320 million, the movie has only managed to score 21% on Rotten Tomatoes (based on 34 reviews) and 32% on Metacritic. This makes it their most criticized production so far, even falling below “The Gray Man” (45%) and “Cherry” (37%). Although the final audience reaction is still uncertain, if the film leads Netflix’s viewership rankings when released, it seems doubtful that it will be considered a triumph for the streaming platform.

What Are Critics Saying About The Electric State?

This first review seems to imply that “The Electric State” has shifted away from the somber, futuristic atmosphere of its source graphic novel, instead opting for a more common, humorous blockbuster feel. David Ehrlich of IndieWire described it as an “unrelentingly tired experience,” even going so far as to compare it to “The Gray Man” in terms of its lack of originality within its genre. Critics are also drawing parallels between it and other uninspired letdowns such as “Borderlands” and “Argylle.” However, this sort of negative response is not unprecedented for the Russo Brothers, who have been subject to criticism since their work on “Avengers: Endgame.

The Russo Brothers’ Non-Marvel Track Record Is Embarrassing

Russo Brothers Film Rotten Tomatoes Score
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) 91%
Captain America: Civil War (2016) 91%
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) 85%
Avengers: Endgame (2019) 94%
Cherry (2021) 37%
The Gray Man (2022) 45%
Citadel (2023, Prime Video Series) 51%
The Electric State (2025) 21%

Despite their considerable skills, Anthony and Joe Russo haven’t managed to create a big-budget blockbuster that doesn’t rely on Marvel Studios. The staggering $2.8 billion success of Avengers: Endgame opened doors at significant studios like Netflix (The Gray Man, The Electric State), Apple (Cherry), and Amazon (Citadel). However, these projects have all failed to leave a lasting impact, despite being among the costliest productions for their studios. These flops are hard to ignore, and it’s high time for the Russo Brothers to demonstrate their value outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Instead of simply attributing poor performance to high production costs, negative critical reviews, or viewership issues, it’s also subjectively perceived that these projects lack originality and seem overly eager to please audiences. The style and feel of “The Electric State” adaptation appears reminiscent of a Marvel-inspired take on the novel. However, since these are all new, unestablished intellectual properties, the directors struggle to infuse the same emotion (or even humor) that made their Marvel Cinematic Universe films popular.

Anthony & Joe Russo’s Upcoming Avengers Test

After the release of “Endgame”, “The Electric State” marks the third instance where the Russo Brothers have faced criticism; add “Citadel” to that list and you’re up to four. The real challenges, though, will be “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Secret Wars”. If both movies underperform, it could suggest that the Russo Brothers have passed their peak and can no longer replicate the success of “Infinity War” and “Endgame” without Marvel’s backing. On the other hand, if they manage to succeed, it would merely reinforce what many believe now – that they are capable of making a great film only with the support of Marvel Studios.

Undeniably, credit belongs to the Russo brothers for the success of Marvel Cinematic Universe. Their journey began with “Captain America: The Winter Soldier“, where they combined high-octane action and poignant drama that set the tone for the franchise. Despite skepticism from some film enthusiasts about superhero films, the Russos pushed genre boundaries. They orchestrated an unparalleled shared experience with “Infinity War” and “Endgame“. Regardless of their latest projects, it’s evident that the upcoming “Avengers” movies are in highly capable hands.

What The Russo Brothers Need To Change

Big-Name Casts Can’t Make Up For Weak Storytelling

Despite having an impressive lineup of stars such as Chris Evans, Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, and Millie Bobby Brown, the latest works by the Russo Brothers have failed to impress. It seems that even the presence of these big names isn’t enough to salvage their recent projects. The issue doesn’t appear to be with the cast; instead, it appears to lie in the lack of compelling, character-driven narratives, a point also made by Quentin Tarantino in 2022 on the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast.

As Hollywood continues to embrace the Marvel universe, it’s fascinating to note that while we have numerous actors who have gained fame by embodying these iconic characters, they aren’t exactly traditional movie stars. Instead, it’s the characters themselves, such as Captain America and Thor, who truly shine as the undeniable stars in these films.

The Duo Needs A Creative Reset

It could be that the Russo Brothers are reliant on Marvel, or perhaps it’s the other way around – they both seem to require a fresh creative approach. Their earlier work on shows such as Community and Arrested Development, which have become cultural touchstones, appear to be starkly different from the creative stagnation they’re currently experiencing in projects outside of Marvel. With The Electric State appearing to be another miss, it might be beneficial for them to take a break from large-scale productions (apart from Doomsday and Secret Wars) and revisit what made them shine: comedy.

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2025-03-12 21:48