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Entertainment • Graphic Novel/Film

The Electric State

The Electric State is a dystopian science fiction illustrated novel by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag, first published in 2018.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Electric State is a dystopian science fiction illustrated novel by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag, first published in 2018. Set in an alternate, technologically ravaged version of 1990s America, it follows a teenage girl and her robot companion on a journey across the western United States. The book later inspired a film adaptation released by Netflix in 2025 and a tabletop game adaptation released in 2025.

Premise

The novel centres on a road trip across the American West by Michelle and her robot companion Skip. Their journey unfolds through a ruined landscape marked by abandoned technology and social collapse.

Publication

The Electric State was published in 2018 as an illustrated science fiction novel by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag. Its Swedish title is Passagen.

Themes and setting

The book presents an alternate 1990s United States affected by war, consumer technology, and immersive virtual reality. Its visual style and melancholic tone are central to its identity.

Adaptations

The work was adapted into a Netflix feature film released in 2025. A tabletop game adaptation was also released in 2025 by Free League Publishing.

Key facts

  • The story follows Michelle, a teenage girl, and her robot companion Skip as they travel west across the United States.
  • The setting is a post-apocalyptic alternate 1997/1990s America shaped by drone warfare and virtual-reality addiction.
  • The novel combines prose with full-colour illustrations by Simon Stålenhag.
  • Film rights were acquired by the Russo brothers in 2017, leading to a Netflix adaptation released in 2025.
  • Free League Publishing funded and released a tabletop game adaptation in 2025.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know the work through its Netflix film adaptation and its place within contemporary illustrated science fiction that circulated widely in North American book markets.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Electric State?
It is an illustrated dystopian science fiction novel by Simon Stålenhag, set in an alternate version of 1990s America.
Who wrote The Electric State?
The book was written and illustrated by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag.
What is the story about?
It follows Michelle and her robot Skip as they travel west across the United States in search of answers about her missing brother.
When was it published?
It was first published in 2018.
Was The Electric State adapted into a film?
Yes. A Netflix film adaptation was released in 2025.
Is there a game based on it?
Yes. Free League Publishing released a tabletop game adaptation in 2025.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Electric_State
    Supports: Basic identification, plot premise, original title, publication year, film adaptation, and game adaptation.
  2. Los Angeles Times — https://www.latimes.com/books/la-ca-jc-simon-stalenhag-the-electric-state-20191002-htmlstory.html
    Supports: Setting, publication context, and film-rights acquisition by the Russo brothers.
  3. Amazon — https://www.amazon.com/Electric-State-Simon-St%C3%A5lenhag/dp/1501181416
    Supports: Plot synopsis and publication details.
  4. Page 45 — https://www.page45.com/store/The-Electric-State-hc.html
    Supports: Plot synopsis, format as illustrated novel, and character names.