It’s time to start gearing up for the fall and winter run of potential Oscar nominees coming out. Historical biographies always go over big with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. After watching the trailer for The Current War, it just seems like it has that Oscar flair to it.
The plot for The Current War centers on the rivalry between Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon). Both men plan to use their respective electrical systems to power the modern world. Though, neither agrees with their rival’s system and tense competition and a propaganda campaign ensues. Of course, Edison and Westinghouse aren’t the only two masterminds as Nikola Tesla (Nicholas Hoult) finds himself into the issue as well.
The film is directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon who most recently helmed the acclaimed Me and Earl and the Dying Girl in 2015 along with a number of episodes for FX’s American Horror Story. It was written by American playwright Michael Mitnick whose only other work in film was 2014’s The Giver. Overall, The Current War feels reminiscent of something like The Imitation Game mixed with The Prestige. The latter film, coincidentally, also featured Tesla as one of its supporting characters.
The Current War is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9th with a theatrical release set for November 24th. Check out the first trailer and comment below.
