Ex Machina
A young programmer is selected to participate in a breakthrough
experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities
of a breathtaking female A.I.
Director:
Alex GarlandWriter:
Alex GarlandStars:
Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac | See full cast and crew »Storyline
Caleb, a 26 year old coder at the world's largest internet company, wins a competition to spend a week at a private mountain retreat belonging to Nathan, the reclusive CEO of the company. But when Caleb arrives at the remote location he finds that he will have to participate in a strange and fascinating experiment in which he must interact with the world's first true artificial intelligence, housed in the body of a beautiful robot girl. Written by DNA FILMS
User Reviews
Intriguing, unpredictable and tense
"Ex Machina" deals with
a familiar theme in a very unique way. It doesn't bombard you with
effects or superficial action (although the robot effects are
exceptional). Rather, its focus and beauty lie in the subtle and nuanced
performances of its tiny cast as the film explores what it means to be
human.
Quiet dialogue scenes between two characters are filmed in
such an impactful, making them feel hauntingly austere, sweet and
innocent, or terrible and frightening, through meticulous use of
composition, light and sound. The film really does run the gamut of
emotions, surprisingly funny one minute and gut-wrenchingly tense and
weird the next, while the script twists and turns, constantly unsettling
your assumptions about what will happen.
The performances are
excellent, most notably Alicia Vikander as the beguiling Ava, who
absolutely passes for being 'almost human'. Her precise movements
-walking, standing or stooping to pull on a pair of stockings- have just
that slight tinge of the uncanny about them to suggest a mechanical
skeleton, yet she is undeniably seductive. You can really understand
Caleb's mental plight as she begins to show signs of a sexual interest
in him!
Domhnall Gleeson also delivers a quiet and focused
performance as Caleb, which reflects much of the film's over all style.
Like Ava, he is relatable, yet has this slight autistic aloofness about
him, in complete contrast to the boorish, reckless Nathan (Oscar Isaac).
The dialogue feels real and non-cliché. The pacing for the most
part is measured, although one or two scenes might move a little slower
than they need to.
The ending probably will not satisfy
everyone, and admittedly left me a feeling a bit cold, but it certainly
didn't follow the route I was expecting. Overall I found it to be
enthralling and disturbing stuff.
"Ex Machina" deals with
a familiar theme in a very unique way. It doesn't bombard you with
effects or superficial action (although the robot effects are
exceptional). Rather, its focus and beauty lie in the subtle and nuanced
performances of its tiny cast as the film explores what it means to be
human.
Quiet dialogue scenes between two characters are filmed in such an impactful, making them feel hauntingly austere, sweet and innocent, or terrible and frightening, through meticulous use of composition, light and sound. The film really does run the gamut of emotions, surprisingly funny one minute and gut-wrenchingly tense and weird the next, while the script twists and turns, constantly unsettling your assumptions about what will happen.
The performances are excellent, most notably Alicia Vikander as the beguiling Ava, who absolutely passes for being 'almost human'. Her precise movements -walking, standing or stooping to pull on a pair of stockings- have just that slight tinge of the uncanny about them to suggest a mechanical skeleton, yet she is undeniably seductive. You can really understand Caleb's mental plight as she begins to show signs of a sexual interest in him!
Domhnall Gleeson also delivers a quiet and focused performance as Caleb, which reflects much of the film's over all style. Like Ava, he is relatable, yet has this slight autistic aloofness about him, in complete contrast to the boorish, reckless Nathan (Oscar Isaac).
The dialogue feels real and non-cliché. The pacing for the most part is measured, although one or two scenes might move a little slower than they need to.
The ending probably will not satisfy everyone, and admittedly left me a feeling a bit cold, but it certainly didn't follow the route I was expecting. Overall I found it to be enthralling and disturbing stuff.
Quiet dialogue scenes between two characters are filmed in such an impactful, making them feel hauntingly austere, sweet and innocent, or terrible and frightening, through meticulous use of composition, light and sound. The film really does run the gamut of emotions, surprisingly funny one minute and gut-wrenchingly tense and weird the next, while the script twists and turns, constantly unsettling your assumptions about what will happen.
The performances are excellent, most notably Alicia Vikander as the beguiling Ava, who absolutely passes for being 'almost human'. Her precise movements -walking, standing or stooping to pull on a pair of stockings- have just that slight tinge of the uncanny about them to suggest a mechanical skeleton, yet she is undeniably seductive. You can really understand Caleb's mental plight as she begins to show signs of a sexual interest in him!
Domhnall Gleeson also delivers a quiet and focused performance as Caleb, which reflects much of the film's over all style. Like Ava, he is relatable, yet has this slight autistic aloofness about him, in complete contrast to the boorish, reckless Nathan (Oscar Isaac).
The dialogue feels real and non-cliché. The pacing for the most part is measured, although one or two scenes might move a little slower than they need to.
The ending probably will not satisfy everyone, and admittedly left me a feeling a bit cold, but it certainly didn't follow the route I was expecting. Overall I found it to be enthralling and disturbing stuff.
