Electric State Book vs Netflix Movie: What are the Differences?

Whether you’re a fan of sci-fi or just looking for a good read, “The Electric State” by Simon Stålenhag is a book you might want to check out. While the Netflix movie adaptation may have missed the mark, Stålenhag’s original work offers a unique and captivating experience that’s worth exploring.

Stålenhag, a Swedish digital artist, creates immersive worlds through stunning visuals and narrative text in his books. Themes of isolation, societal decline, and the collision of advanced technology with rural landscapes are common in his work, including his earlier book “Tales from the Loop.” In “The Electric State,” he paints a picture of America in collapse, ravaged by mechanized warfare and the overpowering influence of virtual reality giant Sentre.

The stark contrast between the book and the Netflix adaptation is immediately apparent. While Stålenhag’s story is dark and introspective, Netflix’s version misses the mark entirely. The tone, focus, and overall vibe of the two are so different that it’s hard to believe they’re based on the same source material.

Netflix’s take on “The Electric State” introduces a robot war subplot that strays far from the original narrative. In Stålenhag’s book, the conflict is a human-vs-human civil war fought with remote-controlled drones, highlighting themes of capitalism, environmental collapse, and corporate greed. The addition of robots with sentience and demands for equal rights in the movie waters down the powerful message of the source material and misses the mark entirely.

One of the most significant departures from the book in the Netflix adaptation is the handling of Skip and Michelle’s story. In Stålenhag’s tale, their journey through a desolate landscape is fraught with danger and despair, encapsulating the bleakness of a society on the brink of collapse. However, Netflix’s portrayal lacks the eerie, haunting atmosphere that defines the original work, opting instead for a more kid-friendly vibe that detracts from the story’s depth and complexity.

Overall, “The Electric State” book offers a unique and compelling experience that is not to be missed. Stålenhag’s masterful storytelling and breathtaking artwork paint a vivid picture of a world in turmoil, inviting readers to explore complex themes and ideas. While the Netflix adaptation may have missed the mark, fans of sci-fi and dystopian fiction will find much to love in the haunting world of “The Electric State.”