Review of Ex Machina (2015) by Joey Y — 12 Jan 2016

Ex Machina was a pretty slow burn, and one that kept you thinking through the whole film. I'm really starting to dig the tendency for films to lean towards ambiguous antagonism. By that I mean it's tough to tell the line between who you're rooting for and against and that happens in this film the entire time.

Do we want Ava, the computer, to get free? Do we want Nathan's AI to be further developed into something safer? Do we want Caleb to just be able to go back to his desk job? WE DON'T KNOW, but eventually one of these conclude the film and we either feel great or ask for our money back.

The effects are pretty outstanding and Alicia Vikander does an excellent job being this feeling, living computer intelligence. Her scenes with just Domnhall Gleason, were the really standout moments in the film for me because those are the roots of the AI discussions that Oscar Isaac brings to Gleason later.

All in all, an insanely smart and beautiful film with a crazy slick modern look and feel. Definitely worth catching when you get the chance!