🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Rebecca Thomas
- Genre: Drama, Indie
- Release year: 2012
- Runtime (length): 1h 36min
- IMDb rating: 6.7/10 (6.3K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A Mormon girl thinks a cassette tape got her pregnant and runs to Vegas to find the rockstar dad, leading to hilarious misunderstandings and maybe a few family secrets spilled.
🍿 Electrick Children: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Immaculate Conception
Rachel, a sheltered 15-year-old from a fundamentalist Mormon community in Utah, discovers she’s pregnant. She insists her pregnancy is the result of listening to a rock song on a blue cassette tape, believing it to be a modern-day immaculate conception. Her devout family, however, views this as a transgression.

Escape to Las Vegas
To escape a forced marriage arranged by her father, Rachel steals the family truck and flees to Las Vegas, determined to find the singer on the tape and understand her ‘miraculous’ pregnancy. Her brother, Mr. Will, secretly accompanies her on this journey of self-discovery.

A New World
In Las Vegas, Rachel and Mr. Will encounter a group of skater/stoner musicians who introduce them to a world far removed from their strict upbringing. Rachel becomes romantically involved with Clyde, one of the musicians, while still holding onto her belief about the tape.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Rachel (Julia Garner): A naive and devout fifteen-year-old Mormon girl who believes she became pregnant after listening to a cassette tape.
- Mr. Will (Liam Aiken): Rachel’s brother, who is initially blamed for her pregnancy and accompanies her on her journey to Las Vegas.
- Paul (Billy Zane): Rachel’s strict and religious father, who struggles to understand and accept his daughter’s pregnancy.
- Clyde (Rory Culkin): A skater/musician in Las Vegas who befriends Rachel and offers her support and understanding.
- Gay Lynn (Cynthia Watros): Rachel’s mother, trapped between her religious beliefs and love for her daughter.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Rachel: “I think God got me pregnant through the tape.” – Rachel’s explanation for her pregnancy, based on her belief in immaculate conception and the power of music.
- Gay Lynn: “…But then I felt something… a special kind of feeling that leads you to a specific direction… and then I found it…” – Quote describing a profound experience, highlighting spiritual discovery and finding one’s path.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: $137,126
💥 Electrick Children Reviews
Personal Review
I found “Electrick Children” to be a quirky and thought-provoking film. Julia Garner’s performance is captivating, and I really felt for her character’s naivete and determination. The film has a dreamy, almost surreal quality that really drew me in. I especially loved the soundtrack and how it contributed to the film’s unique atmosphere. The ending left me pondering the film’s themes long after the credits rolled. Definitely a worthwhile watch for indie film lovers.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of independent films”
- “Viewers interested in coming-of-age stories”
- “People who enjoy movies with religious themes”
- “Fans of Julia Garner”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Teen pregnancy”
- “Suggestive themes”
- “Religious themes”
- “Possible sexual abuse theme”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “Rebecca Thomas’ film is an interesting character study of a fifteen year old Mormon girl, Rachel, played with a wonderful and understated performance by Julia Garner. It is interesting and the ending is rather ambiguous.
- IMDb: “Electrick Children is the best kind of indie film, about characters unlike any you’ve probably seen before, experiencing genuine human relationships under intriguingly unusual circumstances. The scenes and characters stay with you in an almost haunting way long after you’ve watched it. This film is no slapstick comedy, but it does have humor and warmth.
Audience Reactions
The movie had an awesome soundtrack that perfectly captured the vibe!: Viewers loved Julia Garner’s performance and found the film to be unique and intriguing.
Overall Consensus: A unique indie film with a captivating performance by Julia Garner, though some found the ending ambiguous or unsatisfying.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Director Rebecca Thomas drew inspiration from her own Mormon upbringing in Las Vegas to create the unique world and characters in ‘Electrick Children’.”
- “Julia Garner was cast in the film based on a recommendation from Peter Vack, who had previously worked with her in ‘I Believe in Unicorns’.”
- “The film’s soundtrack, featuring ‘Hanging on the Telephone,’ plays a significant role in the plot, symbolizing Rachel’s awakening to the outside world.”
🖥️ How to Watch Electrick Children?
As an independent film, ‘Electrick Children’ may be available for streaming or purchase on various platforms. Check streaming services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Tubi and other VOD platforms. Availability may vary by region. You might also find options to rent or buy the movie through online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Electrick Children, you might like these similar films:
- Junebug (2005): Explores the clash between a sheltered, religious community and the outside world, focusing on a family’s reaction to an outsider.
- Virgin Suicides (1999): Captures the ethereal, dreamlike quality of teenage isolation and the mysteries surrounding young women in a restrictive environment.
- The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018): Deals with a young woman’s experience in a conversion therapy camp, highlighting themes of identity, sexuality, and religious oppression.
- Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012): A coming-of-age story with a similar indie vibe, exploring themes of teenage angst, identity, and finding your place in the world.
🛒 Electrick Children Related Products
- Electrick Children [DVD]: Own the indie darling of 2012, presented in a beautiful collector’s edition DVD. Re-experience the magic of Rachel’s journey.
- Retro Cassette Player: Listen to your favorite tapes, this cassette player is perfect for capturing the nostalgic feel of the film. Features include record, play, rewind, fast forward, stop, and eject functions.
- Indie Film Lover T-Shirt: Show your love for independent cinema with this stylish and comfortable t-shirt. A must-have for fans of “Electrick Children”.
- Utah Travel Guide: Explore the beautiful landscapes of Utah featured in the film. Plan your own road trip and discover the hidden gems of this state.
🎧 Soundtrack
Electrick Children features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The film follows a Mormon teenager who believes she became pregnant after listening to a rock song on a cassette tape. She runs away to Las Vegas to find the singer and understand her ‘immaculate conception’.
Filming took place primarily in Grafton, Utah, and Las Vegas, Nevada. These locations provide a stark contrast between Rachel’s sheltered upbringing and the freedom she finds in the city.
The film stars Julia Garner as Rachel, Liam Aiken as Mr. Will, and Rory Culkin as Clyde. Billy Zane also appears as Rachel’s father, Paul.
🔥 Bonus Content
How do we Define Magic Realism?
Ever heard of ‘Magic Realism’ and wondered what it actually means? This video breaks it down in a super understandable way. I found it really helpful in appreciating movies that blend reality and fantasy!
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