Is Christopher Really Gone? The Shocking Truth Behind The Electric State’s Ending!

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In their latest venture, the Russo brothers whisk viewers away into a blend of past and future set in the ’90s, titled “The Electric State” which premiered on Netflix on March 14, 2025. Starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, this film quickly ascended to the top position on Netflix’s weekly Global Top 10 Movies list. However, it has not received favorable reviews from critics.

In a future where humanity and machinery are intertwined due to global conflict and corporate ambition, the film’s heroine, Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), embarks on a journey to locate her lost brother. Accompanied by the robot Cosmo, who seems to harbor her brother’s spirit, a rogue smuggler named Keats (Chris Pratt), and Herman, Keats’ robotic ally, the story explores ideas of family, awareness within machines, and the moral implications of technology. Wrapping up thoughtfully, Electric State leaves audiences contemplating both personal emotions and profound philosophical questions.

Is Christopher Still Alive at the End of ‘The Electric State’?

The heart of the story “The Electric State” revolves around Michelle’s brother, Christopher (Woody Norman). It was believed that he died in a car accident that claimed her parents too, but it is later revealed that he wasn’t actually killed. Instead, he was abducted from the hospital because of his exceptional intellect. Yet, Christopher manages to free his consciousness and seeks out Michelle, fueling her quest for rescue.

Michelle persists in overcoming multiple difficulties as she searches for her brother. She encounters obstacles such as Colonel Marshall Bradbury (Giancarlo Esposito) pursuing her relentlessly and losing several of her robot companions along the way. Yet, her devotion to her brother never wavers. In her journey, she discovers that Sentre, a powerful tech company, utilized Christopher’s intellect to function, creating a mutually beneficial bond. This implies that if Christopher were to perish, Sentre would cease to exist.

At the emotional peak of the story in The Electric State, Michelle decides to disconnect her brother, Christopher, effectively ending his life. This difficult choice allows her to proceed with shutting off her brother’s machine, thus breaking Sentre’s evil grip on the world. Yet, at the end of the movie, there’s a hint of optimism: the robot containing Christopher’s consciousness rises from the scrapyard it was discarded in. This suggests that Christopher may continue to exist beyond his physical form, and also leaves room for The Electric State to potentially expand into a series or franchise.

What Happens to Cosmo and Herman?

In the novel “The Electric State“, Cosmo plays a crucial role as he embodies Christopher’s consciousness, thereby acting as a link between the human and technological worlds. Michelle and Cosmo develop a special connection, with Cosmo providing Michelle advice and emotional support during her search for her brother. At the end of the book, both Cosmo and the machine sustaining Christopher are turned off, leaving Cosmo in a junkyard. However, just before the movie ends, there’s a hint that Cosmo might still be alive as he miraculously reactivates, suggesting that perhaps their journey together is not fully over.

As a die-hard film fan, I was utterly heartbroken when, during the climactic battle between Sentre’s machines and Blue Sky Acre’s robots, Herman – Keats’ loyal sidekick – took severe damage. In his final moments, Herman bravely shrank through multiple forms to minimize harm, relentlessly defending Keats from any perceived threats. The film’s emotional crescendo came when Herman seemed to have been utterly destroyed in its last form. Yet, true to Herman’s unique spirit, a miniature eight-inch version of the robot popped up at the end of Keats’ heartfelt speech! With his trademark wit and humor, this diminutive Herman made light of Keats’ emotional outburst, making for an unforgettable, heartwarming reunion.

What Happens to Sentre and Ethan Skate in ‘The Electric State’?

In essence, due to Michelle’s moves, the mighty Sentre plummets. When Michelle shuts off Christopher’s life-support systems, it triggers the Sentre robots to shut down, thereby securing victory for the Blue Sky Acre robots. Mr. Peanut then confronts Ethan Skate (portrayed by Stanley Tucci), all thanks to Colonel Bradbury. Mr. Peanut profoundly informs Skate that Michelle’s actions of dismantling Sentre and eventually exposing him, have given robots the opportunity to truly experience life.

After Sente’s downfall, Ethan Skate is arrested, marking the collapse of Sente’s oppressive rule. In the wake of the ensuing turmoil, Skate’s cruel actions come to light, including his mistreatment of Christopher and other atrocities. With Skate and Sente out of the picture, the world undergoes a transformation as people learn to view robots differently. Society no longer sees them as evil, and protests erupt demanding the dismantling of the Robot Exclusion Zone. People start to embrace Michelle’s vision for a future where robots and humans coexist, and where humans learn to truly appreciate the real world instead of being mere slaves to technology. As for the ending of The Electric State, Joe Russo commented on Tudum:

While technology offers remarkable benefits and shapes society significantly, it also comes with substantial drawbacks. These downsides may lead to addiction or isolation from others, a situation that tends to deteriorate our interactions and communication skills with one another. The film’s core message is the importance of maintaining connections with those around us.

In The Electric State, the ending masterfully combines heartfelt personal stories with larger societal concerns, particularly questioning the moral implications of technological progress in a relevant manner. Though technology can certainly unite and empower, it may potentially erode human qualities if used without thoughtfulness, instead of enriching them. Additionally, The Electric State cleverly leaves characters like Christopher and Cosmo with vague destinies, paving the way for future stories based on this series to delve further into these themes.

The Electric State is available for streaming on Netflix right now.

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2025-03-21 18:32