The Current War

The film portrays the competition between Thomas Alva Edison and George Westinghouse over what electric power delivery system that was to be used in the United States. In the late 1800s, the light bulb had recently been invented and discoveries about electric power made it possible to illuminate towns and cities in a brand new way. Edison and Westinghouse wanted to build an electricity grid across America, but disagreed about whether direct current or alternating current would be the best solution to ensure a system that could power both lights and machines.

Thomas Alva Edison, in the film played by Benedict Cumberbatch, had a brilliant mind, but he was also self-centred and stubborn. Edison was the first to develop an electric light bulb that lasted more than two hours. He believed that direct current was the best option to power light bulbs and machines by using electricity.

George Westinghouse, played by Michael Shannon, was an engineer who rose to prominence by inventing the railway air brake. He believed that alternating current was the best option for the American electric grid, since it could be transported over longer distances and would require fewer power plants.

Nikola Tesla, played by Nicholas Hoult, was an inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist who first worked with Edison and later with Westinghouse. He was a pioneer in solving the challenges of using alternating current.