$320 Million Millie Bobby Brown Thriller Leaves Netflix Viewers Shocked By AI Use
Directed by the Russo Brothers, the film premiered on Netflix last Friday.
In today’s streaming landscape, high-budget releases from major platforms often arrive amid sky-high expectations- and equally intense scrutiny. Netflix, which has steadily ramped up its investment in original films, recently released what it calls its most expensive movie ever.
But instead of celebrating a milestone, the film has sparked debate over quality, audience reaction, and the role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. Netflix’s newest sci-fi adventure, The Electric State, had all the makings of a blockbuster success.
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the duo behind the finale of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Infinity Saga, it boasts a star-studded cast including Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Woody Harrelson, Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci, Anthony Mackie, and Giancarlo Esposito. With a reported budget of $320 million, it’s one of the most expensive films ever made.
Yet, as of its release, The Electric State sits at a disappointing 15% on Rotten Tomatoes and has triggered widespread fan backlash. Adding fuel to the fire, the Russo brothers confirmed they used artificial intelligence for voice modulation during production, a revelation that has divided audiences and reignited a broader debate about AI’s place in Hollywood.
Set in a dystopian future where robots once revolted for their own rights, The Electric State follows the character Michelle (played by Millie Bobby Brown) on a cross-country quest to find her missing younger brother. Chris Pratt plays her companion in a story that combines emotional stakes with sprawling visual effects.
Despite impressive set pieces and ambitious world-building, critics have criticized the film’s pacing, character development, and storytelling choices. Audiences have echoed these concerns, resulting in sharp criticism on social media and review sites.
"The Electric State | Official Teaser | Netflix"
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The Russo Brothers have faced widespread criticism for their comments about AI.
The latest flashpoint emerged when the Russo brothers discussed their use of AI in an interview with The Times. Anthony Russo explained that AI was applied to voice modulation, calling the process "something any ten-year-old could do after watching a TikTok video."
He defended AI as a creative tool, likening its current limitations to those that have slowed adoption in fields like self-driving cars and surgical robotics.
“There’s a lot of finger-pointing and hyperbole because people are afraid,” he said. “AI in its generative state is best suited toward creativity.”
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The film has received overwhelmingly negative reviews.
Reactions on Twitter were swift and intense. One user wrote:
“F**K OFF WITH AI VOICE MODULATION AND USE SOUND ENGINEERS AND SOUND DESIGNERS. If the Russos use this on Avengers, I will lose my shit. You’re ruining cinema.” Another tweeted: “10-year-olds aren’t making $320 million movies. Embarrassing.”
Some dismissed AI voice work as nothing more than a “fancy name for a voice filter,” while others warned against normalizing AI in film production.
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Regardless of critical reviews and heated debate, The Electric State has climbed to the top of Netflix’s charts in both the UK and worldwide. Streaming data suggests viewers remain curious, if not enthusiastic, about the movie’s visual spectacle.
Not all commentary has been negative. Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph praised the film’s design, writing, “It’s so beautifully designed… that I defy you to watch more than five minutes without wishing your flatscreen was the size of a house.”
Whether Netflix’s gamble pays off in the long run and whether AI will become a routine part of blockbuster filmmaking remains to be seen.
For now, The Electric State stands as a lightning rod for discussions about budget, technology, and the future of cinematic storytelling. The Electric State is streaming on Netflix now.
Damjan
