Tesla 2020

In a whimsical moment of nostalgia, Nikola Tesla (Ethan Hawke), accompanied by a mysterious female companion, takes to the roller skating rink in 1893. As they glide effortlessly across the floor, a narrator regales us with the tale of Tesla’s formative years, tracing his inspiration back to a serendipitous encounter as a young boy, when he discovered static electricity while petting his feline friend.

Fast-forwarding nine years to 1884 New York City, we find Tesla working for Thomas Edison (Kyle MacLachlan), whose disdain for Tesla’s ideas on alternating current was not only rooted in skepticism but also influenced by the tragic loss of his wife. The narrator interrupts this flashback, poking holes in Edison’s depiction as a hapless romantic, instead revealing the harsh realities behind his lavish lifestyle.

As we delve into Tesla’s backstory, we learn that his childhood in a small Croatian village was marked by a deep sense of curiosity and a natural aptitude for mathematics. His mother, a brilliant matriarch, played a significant role in nurturing his gifts, while his father, a Serbian priest, instilled in him a strong work ethic. Tesla’s journey took him to Prague, where he studied engineering, before attempting to launch his own company, The Tesla Lighting Company, only to be swindled by investors and forced to dig ditches for Western Union.

In contrast, Edison’s life was characterized by an insatiable thirst for fame, twice as many search results as Tesla, but at the cost of his personal happiness. His marriage to Mary (who died tragically young) was a poignant reminder that even those who live in the spotlight are not immune to heartbreak.

As we enter 1885, Tesla pitches his revolutionary magnetic induction motor to investors Brown and Peck, securing funding and a laboratory where he can hone his craft. Meanwhile, Edison’s General Electric company thrives, with JP Morgan (Donnie Keshawarz) pouring millions into the venture, installing DC current-based systems across America.

Tesla’s assistant, Anthony Szigeti (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), becomes an integral part of his team, as they impress Professor Anthony (James Urbaniak) and begin to break down their invention into manageable patents. Along the way, Tesla meets Evelyn (Emma O’Connor), the daughter of Professor Anthony, and Anne Morgan (Eve Hewson), the namesake of JP Morgan’s company.

In a bold move, George Westinghouse (Jim Gaffigan), a trailblazing inventor and entrepreneur, acquires Nikola Tesla’s patents and spearheads mass production of alternating current (AC) technology, with the visionary genius earning a royalties-based profit. As Westinghouse navigates this lucrative venture, he finds himself entangled in a high-stakes rivalry with Thomas Edison, who vehemently advocates for direct current (DC) as superior, labeling AC as hazardous. Edison’s public relations campaign takes a sinister turn when he showcases Westinghouse’s innovation as a deadly tool, capital punishment device used to execute William Kemmler (Blake Delong), a man convicted of murdering his wife.

Meanwhile, Tesla presents his groundbreaking invention to an audience, using two induction sticks that radiate an otherworldly glow. Edison testifies in court that Westinghouse’s AC system can generate 3000 volts of electricity, three times the amount needed to kill any human being. However, Westinghouse’s lawyer disputes Edison’s claims, pointing out the lack of evidence regarding the humane application of such a device for capital punishment cases.

As the battle between DC and AC rages on, Tesla’s former associate, Szigeti, becomes disillusioned with his own inventions after discovering they’ve already been patented. He abandons his pursuits and sets sail for South Africa in search of new opportunities.

The execution itself proves to be a gruesome affair, with Kemmler requiring multiple doses of electric current to meet his demise, a far cry from the merciful hanging he had expected. Edison’s credibility takes a severe hit when it’s revealed that he played a role in designing the electric chair used for capital punishment.

As Tesla’s star continues to rise, Anne grows closer to understanding the inventor’s psyche. Despite her best efforts to bridge the gap between them, she realizes that his enduring admiration for his mother may render him immune to romantic overtures. Tesla’s commitment to his work and his reluctance to form close bonds leave Anne feeling frustrated.

Tesla’s revolutionary invention is showcased at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, where it mesmerizes millions of visitors with its beauty and safety. Edison, finally acknowledging the error of his ways, extends an olive branch to Tesla, offering to collaborate on future projects. However, Anne clarifies that this meeting never transpired, as Edison neither apologized nor proposed a partnership.

Westinghouse presents Tesla with a merger proposal, requiring him to relinquish his royalties-based contract. Tesla, refusing to compromise his values, tears up the agreement, recognizing that it was never about the money for him. Without a ruthless business partner by his side, he’s left vulnerable to exploitation, having neglected to consult his lawyers in the process.

As the legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt (Rebecca Dayan) records her voice for Edison’s gramophone, a chance encounter with Nikola Tesla sets in motion a series of events that will change the course of their lives. Edison’s envy of Tesla is palpable as he hastily escorts Bernhardt away from the inventor, whose innovative spirit and boundless energy are already beginning to make waves.

Meanwhile, Tesla finds himself consumed by his work on the Niagara Falls hydroelectric power plant, where J.P. Morgan queries Anne about the inventor’s romantic intentions. Their conversation is interrupted by Tesla’s revelation that he has no time for romance, as his sights are set on a revolutionary new invention. The prospect of relocating to Colorado, however, sends him packing, leaving Anne and the rest of the world wondering what lies ahead.

In the picturesque town of Colorado Springs in 1899, Tesla sets up his iconic Tesla coil, driven by an insatiable curiosity to harness the power of lightning storms and transmit it across the globe. His grand vision: to democratize energy, making it freely available to all humanity. As he delves deeper into his work, Bernhardt happens upon him, but despite her charming overtures, he remains elusive.

The tables turn in 1901 when J.P. Morgan invests heavily in Tesla’s invention, showering him with a $150,000 check (in today’s terms). However, Edison’s mining venture, which had been touted as a goldmine, comes crashing down, leaving him saddled with a four-million-dollar debt.

As the years pass, Anne tries to bring some much-needed perspective to Tesla’s all-consuming passion for his work. She reminds him that his dream of making energy freely available may be too revolutionary for the world at large. Her words fall on deaf ears as he pours his heart and soul into receiving and decoding signals he believes are coming from Mars.

The scene shifts to a poignant montage of stills, set to the haunting melody of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” as we’re taken on a journey through the highs and lows of Tesla’s life. It’s a bittersweet tale of an inventor who outlived his peers, leaving behind only his remarkable legacy.

In the end, Anne finds herself at a crossroads, deciding to leave behind the whirlwind of Tesla’s world and join an organization helping children in France. As she looks back on their tumultuous relationship, she can’t help but wonder what might have been if only he had shared her concerns about the feasibility of his revolutionary ideas.

The curtain closes on Tesla’s life on January 7th, 1943, at the ripe age of 87, a testament to his unwavering dedication to his craft. And yet, as Anne reflects on the world today, she can’t help but feel that perhaps, just perhaps, Tesla’s vision has finally come to fruition – a world where energy is freely available to all, a world where the boundaries of human innovation know no bounds.