Quick Take: A mostly whimsical retelling of the life of Nikola Tesla through humor, electronic music, and Ethan Hawke singing karaoke.

Based on the film’s logline, Tesla may sound like a standard historical biopic about the engineer, scientist, and inventor credited with devising the first practical application of alternating current (AC) to generate and distribute light and power. And while yes, I’ll admit that does sound rather dry, Tesla is anything but a bore. Writer/director Michael Almereyda (Marjorie Prime) takes full creative control and presents a whimsical, vibrant retelling of the life and accomplishments of Nikola Tesla through humor, electronic music, and breaking the 4th wall with Ethan Hawke singing karaoke to the Tears for Fears song “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”

Hawke shines (pun intended) as Nikola Tesla, the iconic inventor whose big ideas and projections for the future left him entangled with fellow inventor Thomas Edison (Kyle MacLachlan). The film follows their shaky partnership and Tesla’s eventual success, as well as his complicated relationship with Anne (Eve Hewson), daughter of financial titan J.P. Morgan (Donnie Keshawarz). 

Rollerskating scenes and self-aware one-liners are sprinkled throughout factual narration and serious moments, a clear indication that Almereyda did not want Tesla (which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival) to be perceived as a typical biopic. The freewheeling and neon-soaked nature of the film is the main draw, and it plays much like an extended episode of Comedy Central’s ‘Drunk History.’ However, there are scenes that seem disassociated with this otherwise unique style which throws off the balance of the film. Had the surreal moments carried consistently throughout, there’s no doubt that Tesla would have made big sparks on its release day.

Distributed by IFC Films, Tesla is available to rent on VOD this Friday.