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 Garland
Writer:
Alex Garland
Stars:
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
Ex Machina movie Reviews
What
a brilliant little sci-fi film this is. That is, if you can really call
it a sci-fi. In truth, "Ex Machina" is indeed a sci-fi, but it has
qualities that other films of the genre don't. It's also a strange
romance and a character study...of three different characters.
The
film follows Caleb (Dohmnall Gleeson) who wins a week at the home of a
brilliant scientist named Nathan (Oscar Isaac). Nathan wants Caleb to be
part of a trial run for his new artificially intelligent robot. This
involves the Turing test, where Caleb must interact with the A.I., and
if he can't notice that she isn't human, she passes. The catch is that
the A.I. robot is in the form of an attractive woman named Ava (Alicia
Vikander.) As we go along we learn that Nathan has some shocking secrets
and the film becomes an intense and thrilling ride to see not only if
Ava passes the test, but to see if Caleb uncovers the truth behind his
trip.
"Ex Machina" is shot quite unlike other sci-fi films. The
cutting isn't rapid and each shot is given room to breathe. This is
partly because there is very little action in the film. It draws on
human (and non-human) emotions to drive the story and it is so
refreshing to avoid all the violent hoopla that comes with most films
like this. The film is surprisingly well-lit judging by its dark tone
and as the film goes on, the camera gets closer to the actors,
symbolizing the fact that the audience learns more and more about the
characters as time passes.
Another driving point for the film is
three very good performances. As Vikander's robot seduces Caleb, she
also seduces us. She doesn't do this through her looks, but through her
tone of her voice and through the fact that she actually seems human.
Dohmnall Gleeson has shown glimpses of brilliance in the past, but he
really shines here as the character we relate to most. Most of all,
Oscar Isaac is outstanding as the villain in the tale. The way he tries
to befriend Caleb, yet is so mysterious, is unnerving, but wonderful to
watch.
One of the best things about the film is the score. As
can be imagined, there are numerous points in the film that stir us up,
and gnaw at us to keep us guessing what will happen. Along with that is a
simple score that builds and keeps building until we can hardly take
the tension any longer. It is thrilling and really adds to the film
tremendously.
"Ex Machina" exceeds a number of other sci-fi and
A.I.-focused films by bending the genre and focusing on human emotion
over spectacle. It is one of the best films of 2015 thus far, and serves
as an exciting booster for its three rising actors.