SPECIAL SPARK

RACHAEL DAVIS talks to The Electric State stars Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt and directors the Russo Brothers about their nostalgic sci-fi movie

- RACHAEL DAVIS

IT'S not too hard to imagine a world where sentient robots are a part of society.

Set in a retro-futuristic alter-nate universe, The Electric State, from the Russo brothers, shows a world in which robots stylised like mascots and cartoon characters were once intertwined with humanity, but now live in exile in the American desert.

The story follows Michelle, an orphaned teenager, played by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown, who believes her beloved, nerdy little brother Christopher was also killed when she lost her parents.

However, when she's visited by sweet, mysterious robot Cosmo, it appears that the droid is being controlled by Christopher.

Could her brother still be alive? And can Michelle find him and learn more about the sinister forces behind his disappearance?

Along the way, she meets Keats, a smuggler played by Guardians Of The Galaxy's Chris Pratt, and his wisecracking robot sidekick Herman, voiced by Captain America actor Anthony Mackie, forming a reluctant alliance that becomes a friendship - both on screen and off.

"Honestly, that just happened naturally. I can't force anything," says Millie, 21, of her camaraderie with Chris.

"I am who I am, I have a lot of energy and sometimes I'll tone myself down when I meet my new co-stars, but the second I met Chris, he acted as if he'd known me my whole life.

"I went home that night and I remember saying to my husband (Jon Bon Jovi's son Jake) that it was as if Chris and I were already best friends."

The sentiment is shared by Chris, whose career has involved several demanding shoots for films like Guardians Of The Galaxy and Jurassic World.

"You're put into the crucible of a collaborative creative process where you're grinding out 15-hour days, and it accelerates the bond-building with everyone.