The film's title refers to Wain's lifelong obsession with electricity, which he viewed not just as a physical phenomenon, but as a metaphysical "energy" or "currency of life" that binds people together.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021) is a visually vibrant biographical drama that explores the life of the eccentric Victorian artist whose surreal cat illustrations transformed public perception of felines from street pests to beloved household companions . Directed by Will Sharpe and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy, the film uses a whimsical, storybook aesthetic to mask a profoundly tragic exploration of grief and mental illness. Themes of "Electricity" and Connection
Director Will Sharpe employs distinctive visual techniques to mirror Wain's internal world: The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021) - IMDb
This concept is grounded in his relationship with his wife, Emily Richardson (Claire Foy). After her death, "electricity" becomes his way of conceptualising their enduring connection and the "zing" of authentic love.
His obsession with cats is linked to this belief; he saw them as creatures of unique energy that could communicate through a special "electrical" language, eventually inspiring his psychedelic art. Cinematographic and Visual Language