Tesla

Tesla

Year: 2020

Runtime: 102 min

Language: English

Director: Michael Almereyda

Echo Score: 65

Budget: $5M

BiographyDrama

This electrifying biopic portrays visionary Nikola Tesla (Ethan Hawke) as he strives to realize his revolutionary electrical system. He faces considerable obstacles while pursuing a future where energy is accessible to all. The film explores his complex relationship with Thomas Edison (Kyle MacLachlan) and a captivating romance with Anne, the daughter of J.P. Morgan (Jim Gaffigan), as Tesla's personal struggles intertwine with his groundbreaking innovations.

Tesla (2020) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Tesla (2020) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the flickering glow of late‑19th‑century America, a world on the cusp of electrifying change buzzes beneath soot‑blackened skylines and grand exhibition halls. The film paints this era with a luminous, almost lyrical visual palette—steam‑capped factories, dim laboratory lamplight, and the restless energy of a continent racing toward modernity. A subtle, introspective score threads through bustling streets and quiet chambers alike, inviting the audience to feel both the awe of invention and the isolation that often trails brilliance.

At its heart stands Nikola Tesla, a charismatic yet enigmatic visionary whose mind crackles with ideas that could reshape society. Driven by a dream of free, universal energy, he navigates a landscape of skeptical financiers, skeptical peers, and the relentless push of progress. His path intersects with the formidable Thomas Edison, whose own luminous empire casts both a shadow and a spark of competition, framing a dynamic rivalry that fuels much of the film’s intellectual tension. Meanwhile, a tender, unexpected connection blossoms with Anne Morgan, the cultured daughter of a powerful patron, offering a glimpse of emotional grounding amid the electric storm of his ambitions.

The narrative sways between grand public demonstrations and intimate moments of solitary contemplation, highlighting the paradox of a man whose inventions were meant for the masses yet whose personal life remains fiercely private. The tone balances the grandeur of scientific marvel with a quiet, humanizing melancholy, suggesting that the true power of light lies as much in the heart as in the circuitry. As the story unfolds, the audience is invited to wonder whether the brilliance of his inventions can ever illuminate the shadows of his own soul.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 01:11

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about lonely geniuses like Tesla

Stories of brilliant minds whose world-changing innovations come at a profound personal cost.If you were captivated by the melancholic portrayal of Nikola Tesla, explore similar movies about visionary inventors and brilliant minds. These films, like Tesla, often feature solitary protagonists whose groundbreaking work is shadowed by personal loneliness and a bittersweet legacy, offering a thoughtful look at the cost of genius.

reflectivemelancholicsolitaryvisionaryintellectualsombernostalgic

Narrative Summary

These films typically follow a biographical or fictionalized account of a genius's life, charting their professional breakthroughs against a backdrop of personal struggle, rivalry, and emotional isolation. The narrative often emphasizes the gap between public achievement and private sorrow, leading to a reflective, sometimes somber, conclusion.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the solitary nature of brilliance, a melancholic tone, and the thematic exploration of how ambition and innovation can lead to a life of personal unfulfillment, creating a coherent vibe of intellectual wonder mixed with human sadness.

Stories of ambition and rivalry like Tesla

Character-driven stories where professional rivalry and personal longing lead to a complex legacy.For viewers who enjoyed the complex dynamics between Tesla and Edison, this list features movies with similar themes of rivalry, ambition, and legacy. These films share a moderate complexity and a bittersweet feel, exploring how the drive to succeed impacts personal connections and ultimate fulfillment.

ambitiousintellectualsomberreflectiverivalryromantic longingfinancial struggle

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a driven protagonist facing off against a rival, often while grappling with financial instability and fleeting romantic connections. The story unfolds with variable pacing, weaving together professional conflicts and personal dramas, ultimately culminating in an ending that acknowledges achievement but underscores its emotional cost.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their exploration of ambition as a double-edged sword, a narrative structure that intertwines professional and personal struggles, and a consistently bittersweet emotional tone that questions the true price of success.

Unlock the Full Story of Tesla

Don't stop at just watching — explore Tesla in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Tesla is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Tesla Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Tesla, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Tesla Summary

Tesla Timeline

Track the full timeline of Tesla with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Tesla Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Tesla

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Tesla. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Tesla

More About Tesla

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Tesla: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Tesla