I saw this movie a little over a week ago and it's taken me that long to be able to express how I felt about Ex Machina. It's a brilliant little piece of science fiction, a creative twist of the artificial intelligence sub-genre. If you're looking for I, Robot or some sort of ultra-violent summer popcorn blockbuster, then it's going to let you down. But, if you're a fan of character-driven, slow moving, smart science fiction, then look no further than Ex Machina.
What's strange about this film is even though the pace moves rather slowly, the film doesn't meander around what goals it wants to accomplish. There is no long character explanation and set-up. It begins immediately with Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) winning a work contest where he gets to go spend a week on a secluded island inhabited by the CEO of his computer company, Nathan (Oscar Isaac). He gets to the island and is immediately greeted by Nathan who appears to be normal, but also very lonely... and of course, secretive. Nathan reveals to Caleb that he has created authentic artificial intelligence and would like Caleb to be the subject in his Turing test. Over the next seven days, Caleb will have "private" one-on-one interaction with Ava, the robot, to determine if he believes her intelligence is genuine, rather than simply programmed. Of course, there's many small twists and turns and much to find out about the recluse, Nathan. He's a drunk whose brilliance is unparalleled, but whose anger is quick. He's a complex character that isn't at all who he appears to be. Especially when Ava tells Nathan during the first couple sessions not to believe a word Nathan says and that he isn't his friend.
It's a thinking person's sci-fi. It's not overly computer animated, although the design of Ava is flawless and a marvel to look at. It's a quiet movie with only a few onscreen characters, but it's the evolution of the two characters that makes the movie interesting to watch. At first, Caleb is enamored with his boss and hangs on his every word, but each day that passes he becomes more and more weary of the man Nathan actually is and what his motives might be. While a twist may or may not be expected, I will tell you this-- while it's not a twist, per se... the ending is quite unexpected as well as satisfying.
However, it's the two leads that really drive the film. Yes, the conversations between Caleb and Eva that draw the most interest, it's Gleeson and Isaac that truly run the room. They're essentially two up and coming actors that have begun to make themselves known in the film industry (I mean, hell, they're both in the upcoming Star Wars movie), but they're two very good and very watchable actors. Director Alex Garland, making his directorial debut, knows how to write an engaging script that moves at a slower pace to make way for character development. Though it's his first directing job, he's written some very compelling sci-fi in the past. Check out Sunshine, Dredd, and 28 Days Later... for confirmation.
Like I said... it's not all thrilling sci-fi action and mayhem. It's drifts down the river comfortably rather than careens down it horrifically. Check it out, if it sounds like it's for you.
B
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