The Current War (2017) Plot Summary & Timeline

In the year 1880, the story begins with Benedict Cumberbatch as Thomas Edison, passionately applying for a patent for his revolutionary electric lightbulb. In his detailed presentation, Edison explains the design and purpose of his invention to an eager audience. As he demonstrates his vision, a crowd of men gathers in the woods, drawn by the promise of fortune. They approach to find a sprawling field illuminated by thousands of glowing lightbulbs—an awe-inspiring sight that symbolizes Edison’s dream of illuminating the world. Edison has gathered these investors to bankroll his venture, though he still requires additional funding to fully realize his ambitions.

Meanwhile, Edison is traveling on a train to meet influential figures such as Matthew Macfayden’s J.P. Morgan, a powerful financier, along with the President and his wife, Mary Edison (played by Tuppence Middleton), and their children, affectionately nicknamed Dot and Dash for Morse code signaling. During this journey, Edison discusses his latest inventions, including the phonograph, with his trusted secretary, Tom Holland’s Samuel Insull, as they prepare for future meetings. The next stop involves a crucial dinner with Michael Shannon’s George Westinghouse, an inventor and industrialist with competing plans for electrical systems.

Before the dinner, Edison attempts to secure funding in the city, setting up an office in Manhattan that will serve as the hub for his expanding electrical empire. However, he abruptly decides to return home, exhausted from the whirlwind of negotiations, and is greeted at the station by Katherine Waterston’s Marguerite Westinghouse. The Westinghouse family visit is canceled unexpectedly, but their acquaintance remains strong. During the visit, Franklin Pope notes Edison’s eccentric personality, giving Westinghouse insight into Edison’s intense work ethic and obsession with innovation.

Back at home, Edison’s wife Mary expresses concern about his relentless work schedule. She speaks into their phonograph, recording her voice and her desire for him to build a fence in their yard—an ordinary wish that highlights her longing for normalcy amidst his scientific pursuits. Sadly, Mary’s health begins to decline, though Edison remains fixated on his work, dismissing her illnesses as minor. When she collapses, a doctor diagnoses her with a serious condition, prompting Edison to ask for delays on bills to care for her.

Despite personal tragedy, Edison’s business accelerates. Morgan invests half a million dollars in Edison’s projects, fueling hopes of lighting up Manhattan. Edison’s team works tirelessly, successfully illuminating several buildings, capturing public attention and solidifying his reputation. However, Nicholas Hoult’s Nikola Tesla, a brilliant inventor, watches with curiosity and skepticism from the crowd, as Tesla is recruited to work for Edison Electric. Tesla demonstrates that Alternating Current (AC) is far more efficient than Edison’s Direct Current (DC) system, but Edison—confident in his DC technology—resists switching.

Westinghouse, meanwhile, advocates for AC, proposing the use of transformers to transmit electricity over much greater distances at lower costs. He plans a demonstration to prove that AC can be a superior system, capable of powering entire cities more efficiently. Edison attempts to discredit AC by publicly illustrating its dangers—most notoriously by electrocuting a horse with AC current, calling it “Westinghouse, the horse,” in a controversial and ethically questionable stunt designed to sway public opinion.

As tensions escalate, Tesla explains the advantages of AC, yet Edison remains committed to his DC system. The rivalry spills into the press, with accusations flying and patent disputes intensifying. Edison fears losing his dominance and accuses Westinghouse of using stolen designs—the same ones Edison has patented—prompting legal battles and a bitter public feud. Amidst the chaos, Simon Manyonda’s Lewis Latimer and Tesla attempt to develop improvements, but Tesla is eventually fired after disagreements with his new partners.

While personal tragedies deepen, with Mary’s health worsening, Edison’s focus remains on his inventions. He dedicates himself to improving the phonograph and secretly records her voice, seeking solace in her words. Meanwhile, J.P. Morgan proposes merging Edison’s company with others to consolidate power under the newly forming General Electric, a move Edison fiercely opposes, feeling betrayed and overshadowed. Morgan’s plan leaves Edison with only a symbolic position and a seat on the board.

The race to light the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago reaches its climax. Both Edison and Westinghouse bid for the contract, with Edison’s team concerned about the safety of AC and its potential dangers to the public. To prove the dangers, Edison orchestrates a demonstration where he uses AC to electrocute a horse, further fueling fear. Ultimately, Westinghouse wins the bid, and his lighting system dazzles visitors at the fair, showcasing the potential of electric lighting without harming anyone—marking a historic milestone.

Throughout the event, Edison’s creation of the electric chair is brought to light, as he is approached by a man interested in its humane application for executions. Edison, opposed to the idea of taking life, is reluctant but is pressured into participating in a demonstration. The electric chair proves problematic, highlighting the ethical dilemmas intertwined with technological progress. In court, Westinghouse counters Edison’s claims about AC’s lethality by exposing confidential letters, revealing Edison’s efforts to discredit AC and strengthen his own position.

Amid legal battles and corporate maneuvers, Westinghouse shows his shrewdness and resilience, recalling civil war days when he successfully tricked a drunken soldier, illustrating that he’s no fool. Edison, confronted with these conflicts, receives a call from Westinghouse, who warns him not to threaten his reputation further—telling him he’s about to publish damaging letters.

In the final stages, Tesla and Westinghouse form an alliance, working together to develop revolutionary motors and power systems for the upcoming fair. Meanwhile, Tom Holland’s Samuel Insull promotes Edison’s phonographs worldwide, boosting revenue. Despite the setbacks, Edison accepts that Westinghouse’s system will illuminate the future’s brightest moments.

At the famous 1893 World’s Fair, Westinghouse’s lighting captivates the public, all while Edison graciously acknowledges that his own inventions have changed the world forever, even if his company lost the contract. In a reflective moment, Edison admits that his next project—the kinetograph, or motion picture camera—is so groundbreaking that it will eventually eclipse his work with electricity. As they part ways, Edison and Westinghouse share a mutual respect rooted in their extraordinary contributions to technology, understanding that both their visions have forever altered the course of history.