By Eddie King
Staff Writer
A technological thriller that questions the relationship between humans and technology, “Ex Machina” is an instant sci-fi classic. Despite the film’s simplistic premise, director Alex Garland turns “Ex Machina” into a suspenseful masterpiece that questions and tests the limitations of technological advances and human capabilities.
The film impresses visually with its beautiful depictions of nature contrasting the sleek, lifelike depictions of the robots. “Ex Machina” separates itself from other films with its superior cast, its relatable themes and an elegantly complex storyline.
The film starts with Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), a young computer programmer for the internet giant Bluebook, who wins a contest to visit the reclusive CEO of the company, Nathan (Oscar Issac). Caleb is brought into Nathan’s research facility where he is introduced to Ava (Alicia Vikander), a lifelike robot with an advanced artificial intelligence.
What begins as Caleb testing Ava to see if she has gained sufficient self-awareness to be considered human turns into an exhilarating game of wit between the three characters in a battle for dominance and survival.
From a critical viewpoint, Garland’s directorial debut is nearly flawless. Garland molds the relatively simple concept of “Ex Machina” into a well-polished sci-fi thriller with an insightful and engaging plot and an inconceivable twist ending.
Garland is also the writer of the screenplay, allowing him to have full control as both the writer and director to see that the film is portrayed as he wrote it, adding to the detail and originality that sets “Ex Machina” apart from other sci-fi hits.
Additionally, the actors are phenomenal in their various roles. They are able to convincingly mask their characters’ true intentions and emotions, keeping viewers guessing their true desires throughout the film. This helps the film become more engaging because it forces viewers to pay close attention and engross themselves in the story in order to understand the shifting plot.
The high quality visuals enhance the film’s believability and technological appeal, as the various robots look astoundingly human and full of emotion. This is a plus for the movie as it adds to the believability of the robots and, as the film relies so heavily on computer generated images, it makes the film and events seem more realistic.
In addition, many of the plot twists in “Ex Machina” are easy to understand. This makes for a story that is not weighed down by confusing ideas, but still has enough intrigue to keep viewers interested throughout.
The film also delivers relatable themes and ideas that are relevant to present-day society. “Ex Machina” presents ideas about the dangers of technology and the ramifications of a tech-infected culture. These pertinent ideas make the film more relevant due to the impact that technology has on society today and the potential dangers that its rapid advancement poses to the world.
“Ex Machina” exemplifies the qualities of an instant sci-fi hit due to its originality and supporting visuals. The film is well-directed, and the actors are phenomenal in their roles, capturing the true essence and nature of their characters. An unbelievable film in every regard, “Ex Machina” solidifies its place as one of the best films of 2015.
“Ex Machina” is rated R and now playing in select theaters.
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