The Current War (2018)

The Current War turns a chapter of industrial history into a crackling, prestige drama about ambition, ego, and the price of progress, filmed with a sleek, electric visual style that makes boardrooms feel as tense as battlefields. Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Shannon bring magnetism and nuance to their rival visions, anchoring a smart script that’s less about gadgets than the human hunger to be right—and to win. The direction keeps the story moving with urgency, letting ideas collide like live wires while never losing sight of the people behind them. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, well-acted historical drama that feels modern in its pace and polish, this one delivers—though those wanting a purely action-driven biopic may find it more talky than explosive.

The Current War wants to be a prestige historical drama about big egos, big ideas, and the messy birth of modern electricity, and you can feel the ambition in the cast and glossy period look. The problem is it often plays like a stylish highlight reel: choppy editing and uneven pacing keep the story from building real momentum, and the payoff lands softer than it should. If you’re coming for a rich, balanced deep-dive into the era—especially a meaningful Nikola Tesla presence—you may be frustrated by how sidelined and simplified parts of the history feel. Still, if you’re happy with a handsome, actor-driven rivalry movie that prioritizes mood over clarity, it’s watchable enough for a single sitting.