Review of Ex Machina (2015) by Filius S — 06 Jan 2016

Atmospheric. Medtitative. Visceral. Philosophical. Resonant. Profound. Alex Garland's directorial debut about a man administering a Turing test to a sentient A.I. developed by a reclusive billionaire, encompasses all these things and becomes a cinematic triumph in the process.

The film begins without a word of spoken dialogue in the first moments, choosing to encompass us in ambient drone to set the tone for the rest of the movie. Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) receives a computer notification that he has won some sort of contest, immediately earning congratulations from his peers and coworkers. Traveling via helicopter, past a mountain range to a lush green forest, we find a futuristic research facility/mansion with a minimalist theme where we meet Nathan (Oscar Isaac). A genius programmer, Nathan has created Ex Machina's equivalent of Google on steroids, named Blue Book, which dominates 95% of internet search traffic. Now, Nathan has set his sights higher, attempting to develop an A.I. that can successfully pass a Turing test so that his creation can be released into the real world. After signing a non-disclosure agreement, Caleb is introduced to Nathan's creation, Ava, who will change his life forever.

There are so many elements working together in Ex Machina that it feels like a clockwork mechanism, and makes focusing on any specific part difficult without immediately addressing another. For example, the film only has four actors, one of whom never speaks. The film also only really has one location. Both elements create a sense of detachment that is emphasized by the placement of the house and its stark, minimalist aesthetic that contrasts with the deep green forest surrounding it. In fact, throughout the entire mansion you will rarely see the color green, which is instead replaced by greys; whites; blue, red, and orange lighting; and brown accenting. The lighting and decor gives off a futuristic embrace, pulsating to life, which is emphasized by the electronic ambiance that dominates the soundtrack, and is further underlined by the sound effects and voice commands emanating from the complex-wide speaker system. All of these components work together so effortlessly that you become engrossed in the feeling of the movie and have almost nothing to be distracted with.

The cinematography and editing highlight this further, with gradual, contemplative camera movements, intercut between the sparse interior of the mansion and the epic mountainous forests it's nestled between. The film doesn't rush, it breathes with life and gives you plenty of time to simply watch things unfold and lose yourself with your own thoughts.

The subject matter of Ex Machina intricate, but due to Nathan's wishes of making his week with Caleb "just two guys hanging out" Garland accomplishes a rich philosophical meditation that doesn't deviate into a convoluted mass of technical jargon, focusing instead on the human aspect of everything happening, making the movie universally accessible. A master stroke for a novice director, the movie manages to be extremely cerebral without becoming condescending.

The acting of the characters is equally brilliant. Somehow, every personality is believable, honest and interesting. Gleeson is fantastic, embodying a naive Alice as he travels through the looking glass, Vikander is masterful in her portrayal of a curious A.I. that seems to be testing Gleeson just as much as he is testing her, and Mizuno is a treat that delivers a peripheral performance executed exclusively in mime. But the character that steals the show is Nathan, and the role is the one that cements Isaac as one of the greatest actors of our generation. Intelligent, cunning, dominant, charming, and funny, Nathan helps keep the movie grounded, and provides as interesting a character as Ava for Caleb to interact with.

TL;DR - 10/10.

Ex Machina is, without a doubt, one of the best films of the year, vying for the top spot along with other 2015 cinematic achievements like Sicario and Fury Road. The film manages to combine a powerful story, brilliant dialogue, visual splendor, auditory virtuosity, serene pace, and acting talent to encapsulate a sensation that is rarely felt in film: wonder.