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Based on the illustrated novel by Simon Stalenhag, The Electric State, is a science fiction action and adventure movie directed by Antohny and Joe Russo. Starring Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, and others, the movie revolves around an orphaned teenager, Michelle (Brown), who lives in a retrofuturistic 1990s society where robots have been banished into exile after they waged a war against humans.
Michelle lives with her abusive foster dad Ted after she supposedly lost her family in a car crash. However, when she receives news from a robot that her younger brother is still alive, she decides to embark on a quest to find him and meets Keats (Pratt), a smuggler with a robot sidekick. The film used a range of technology to capture the movement and expressions of the multiple robots used in the movie. The film highlights the themes of co-existence between humans and robots and as such, the film features various robots.
Every major robot in the movie has his or her characteristics, persona, unique charm, and quirk. While Cosmo is a sweet-natured robot, Herman has a ton of wit and sass. The various robots in the movie are complex, have human-like personalities, and are as important as the human characters if not more. Here is a quick list of some of the most interesting robot characters in The Electric State and how they have their own personalities.
Herman, Popfly, and other robots from The Electric State
1. Penny Pal
This cute robot is a mailbot and is voiced by Jenny Slate. She is a mailbot because before all the robots lived in an exclusion zone, Penny worked for the United States Postal Service. Therefore, Penny is one of those who was made to guide and assist. Penny is an expressive and talkative robot and her character is important in the show. She is the one who delivers an important message from Dr. Amherst to Michelle. It is because Penny delivers the message to Michelle, that she can find her brother. Her main trait is that, unlike stereotypical robots, Penny emotes and has a range of emotions. She is enthusiastic and loves to explain. Further, she is an overachiever. While delivering the letter, she is confused and nervous, and this shows that even though she worked for a firm, and must be made to be firm in her decisions, she has still imbibed human traits and characteristics.
2. Popfly
Brian Cox has voiced this moustache-bearing robot with a baseball hat. Popfly is a vintage robot and can throw baseballs at high speed, therefore he was most likely built to help humans in baseball practice. The robot is rigid in his ways and like an old person, he does not change his attitude towards life easily. He looks like an American sports mascot and has tons of life stories that he regularly tells. Popfly’s special trait is that even though he has a limited range of motion mechanically, he has multiple motivational speeches to speak. Cox’s voice also adds a dimension of personality and quirky to the robot. Even though the robot is an animatronic with fixed movements, Cox’s voice adds a layer of humanity and depth. Popfly has a grave voice and tone and towards the end, he also gives an important motivational speech to other robots to fight against evil humans.
3. Perplexo
Voiced by Hank Azaria, this former entertainment and magician robot is modeled on the classic robot-style toys of the 1980s and 1990s and even though he has a small role in the movie, he leaves quite an impact. Perplex demands attention because of his dramatic personality. As a former entertainer, he has still been unable to let go of his personality and is now a self-proclaimed performer. He adds a touch of charm and humor to the movie with his antics and unpredictable, over-the-top behaviors that make him hilarious and enigmatic. Even though most of his tricks don’t turn out well, he makes up for it with his quirky personality. Azaria’s voice adds a layer of comic timing and definition to Perplexo’s character and accentuates his most important trait, which is to be theatrical and expressive.
4. Mr. Peanut
One of the most interesting and surprising additions to the robot roster in The Electric State, Mr. Peanut, is the much-loved and iconic brand mascot and advertising logo. Voiced by Woody Harrelson, the monocle-bearing and top-hat-wearing robot, however, has a new role in the movie. The film has expanded upon its corporate role and he is now the wise, sage leader of a band of defunct robots that live in an abandoned mall. Mr. Peanut’s character trait is that he has a deep understanding of things and is wise beyond his years. Harrelson’s voice makes the robot and the humans indistinguishable as he lends the robot with humanity and complexity. The addition of a well-known icon engages the viewers by invoking a sense of nostalgia. Even though he settles for a peaceful alliance with the humans after the Great War, Mr. Peanut has retained his revolutionary characteristics and intelligence, with a heightened ability to express himself through words, unlike other robots.
5. Cosmo
Cosmo, one of the most endearing robots in The Electric State, is also one of the central robots in the movie. Voiced by Alan Tudyk, this funny-looking robot has a giant, yellow bobby head and a small body. Because he is Michelle’s brother Chris’, companion, he imbibes certain qualities of his. Cosmo has a lot of curiosity and childlike wonder for the things around him and is an innocent robot. Even though he has a singular expression of a smile plastered over his face, he understands deep emotions and is a ride-or-die companion for Michelle, who found him. Like a family member, he takes care of Michelle and even though he has limited phrases to interact with, he can emote through his presence and support. The robot has some of the most heartrending moments in the movie, like when Michelle misses her brother and Cosmo decides to show her the Kid Cosmo cartoon, she and her brother used to watch.
6. Herman
Herman is brutally honest and has a ton of experience under his belt. With his semi-circle design for a head and strong body, he is built to be a dependable and strong industrial companion. He therefore imbibes some of the character traits from his physicality and is tough with no time for nonsense. As Keats’ long-time partner, he is extremely dependable and does not mind calling out humans if they plan to do something foolish and dangerous. Voiced by Anthony Mackie, Herman is one of the most important robot characters in the movie because of his witty one-liners and fun dynamic with Keats. Even during the most dangerous situations, Herman can deliver solid punchlines and lighten the mood. The robot’s main character trait is his no-nonsense attitude and witty humor. Mackie’s voice can infuse the character with comic timing and action. The movie also has a poignant scene where Herman is seemingly dead during his battle with the humans but emerges into a small version of himself and partners up with Keats again.
7. Mrs. Scissors
Voiced by Susan Leslie, Mrs. Scissors, is an adorable but strict robot who appears for a short time in The Electric State. She is a robot who was made to help humans in salon services and she therefore likes to cut people’s hair and help humans clean up things. Hilariously, she persuades and even manipulates Keats into getting a haircut and chopping his hair. Even though Keats is hesitant initially, he gives in to her demands and is amused by how a robot could persuade him to cut his hair. Mrs. Scissors might be in the movie for only a brief moment, but her presence in the movie proves the point that even though robots were made to do a certain task, and the robots continue to do it, they have evolved and want more freedom and autonomy for themselves.
8. PC
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Created by Dr. Clark Amherst, the man responsible for Sentre’s entire global network, the genius scientist decided to create, PC. Voiced by Ke Huy Quan, PC, is one of the most sentient and intelligent robots. Even though he is bound to be a desk computer with a screen and a rigid body, he knows about everything and anything. PC proves that he is capable of immortalizing Amherst and his intelligence and is as smart and evocative as other humans. PC even helps Michelle find her brother before the time runs out and therefore understands the urgency. Built like an old-school computer, PC is one of those robots in the movie, who has a smaller role, but they contribute to the overall story arc of the film and highlight the importance of every robot in the movie.
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