Alicia Vikander
Domhnall Gleeson
Oscar Isaac

Alex Garland

108 mins.
Drama, Sci-Fi
April 10, 2015 (USA)

Rated R for graphic nudity, language, sexual references and some violence. (MPAA)

One day, you receive a message on your computer at work. (You work at a major internet-search company.) It tells you that you’ve won a competition. This isn’t a competition for money; it’s a competition for the opportunity to spend a week the CEO, who’s an inventor and coding genius. He wants you to test his latest invention, a female robot that has artificial intelligence. You need to determine whether she’s self-aware, whether she has consciousness: You need to perform a version of the Turing test. Would you do it?

In writer and debut director Alex Garland’s “Ex Machina,” Caleb Smith (played by Domhnall Gleeson) does just that. Nathan Bateman (played by Oscar Isaac) is the mysterious yet affable CEO. Nathan lives alone, seemingly, in the company of his machines. He has a drinking problem, too, but he’s upfront about that. His AI creation, Ava (played by Alicia Vikander) moves and talks (and even thinks) as humans do … almost. At times, Ava seems computer-like, as well, but it’s barely perceptible. In particular, when she moves, she sounds like a digital insect.

Stylistically, “Ex Machina” has the slightly antiseptic look of many other sci-fi films. But it also features shots of nature and splashes of color, especially of the color red. In addition, its style matches its subject matter: We see Caleb being scanned by computer cameras, for instance.

Garland, who worked with director Danny Boyle as the writer of “28 Days Later” and “Sunshine,” has crafted a film that’s a blend of the sci-fi creations of Stanley Kubrick, Ridley Scott, and even Steven Spielberg. His style is different from Boyle’s, though. It’s much smoother with less intensity; the score reflects that. And, his pacing is deliberate: There are many moments of suspense.

Ultimately, the main question presented by “Ex Machina” is, “What does it mean to be human, to be conscious?” Consciousness necessitates observation. But who’s doing the watching, and who’s being watched? If you create AI, what happens if it actually passes the Turing test? Who’s the actual tester in that situation?

Ava, Caleb, and Nathan form a trio of characters who each try to assert his or her own power. Ava’s power is the power inherent in any creation: the power of surprise. Caleb’s power is the power of the outsider: the power that comes from questioning and that leads to attempts to fix what seems to be broken. Nathan’s power is the power of the creator: the power that comes from ownership. So, who’s really in control? Which power will prevail?

“Ex Machina” is a film that’s mostly about ideas. It uses ideas not only to present unsettled characters, but also to unsettle its audience. Throughout the film, something seems to be off. For instance, when Nathan launches into a choreographed (yes, choreographed) dance sequence, it’s both humorous and threatening. There’s a menace beneath the surface. But it’s not thrown in your face. You just feel it. Nathan, in general, has that kind of quality. He constantly sets up diversions. Is that all this is?

Vikander, Gleeson, and Isaac work well together. Garland uses those actors to get his message across with great effect. Vikander, in particular, does a great job of portraying a robot that’s certainly much more than just that. Her performance, along with the script, may cause you to question your own definition of what being human is.

However, while all of the pieces are there, “Ex Machina” isn’t as revelatory as it wants to be. First of all, its ideas have been explored before. Second of all, it can be a bit predictable. Despite that, there’s enough depth and detail to make it worth a watch. For this film, it’s the thoughts that count.

Verdict: Good

About: (Source: exmachina)

ALEX GARLAND, WRITER OF 28 DAYS LATER AND SUNSHINE, MAKES HIS DIRECTORIAL DEBUT WITH THE STYLISH AND CEREBRAL THRILLER, EX MACHINA.

CALEB SMITH (DOMHNALL GLEESON), A PROGRAMMER AT AN INTERNET-SEARCH GIANT, WINS A COMPETITION TO SPEND A WEEK AT THE PRIVATE MOUNTAIN ESTATE OF THE COMPANY’S BRILLIANT AND RECLUSIVE CEO, NATHAN BATEMAN (OSCAR ISAAC).

UPON HIS ARRIVAL, CALEB LEARNS THAT NATHAN HAS CHOSEN HIM TO BE THE HUMAN COMPONENT IN A TURING TEST-CHARGING HIM WITH EVALUATING THE CAPABILITIES, AND ULTIMATELY THE CONSCIOUSNESS, OF NATHAN’S LATEST EXPERIMENT IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

THAT EXPERIMENT IS AVA (ALICIA VIKANDER), A BREATHTAKING A.I. WHOSE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE PROVES MORE SOPHISTICATED — AND MORE DECEPTIVE — THAN THE TWO MEN COULD HAVE IMAGINED.