rewrite this title in other words: The Perfect Sci-Fi Thriller Is An R-Rated AI Conspiracy
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Written by Robert Scucci | Published
As I prepare myself mentally 28 years later: The Bone Temple for my first playthrough, I had a great time working my way through Alex Garland’s past work. in 2014 Ex Machina is a prime example of his talent and range because it proved that he just can’t write one hell of a screenplay, something we already knew thanks 28 days later, Sunshineagain Dreddbut he also directed a feature film well. Garland hit it out of the park with Ex Machinawhich explains why he would go on to serve as writer and director of several of his next films, each reflecting his continued evolution as a filmmaker and world builder.
Ex Machina is an intense thriller about artificial intelligence and how it can be mishandled during its developmental stages. It requires an unflinching look at the motivations behind the people who create the technology and how dangerous those motivations can be. At its core, it’s about one man playing god, using humans the same way he uses his robotic creations, and furthering the idea that the unexamined pursuit of science has dire consequences.
A Boy And His Toys
Ex Machina he first introduces us to Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson), a talented programmer who works for Blue Book, a technology behemoth with seemingly limitless resources run by the mysterious CEO, Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac). Caleb is understandably excited when he finds out he’s been hand-picked by Nathan to test his latest AI creation, a humanoid robot named Ava (Alicia Vikander) built in complete secrecy. Nathan’s stated goal is to determine if Ava is capable of independent thinking by extending a modified version of the Turing Test, and he believes that Caleb is a suitable subject to help further his research.
It doesn’t take long for Caleb to see Nathan’s unsavory behavior, especially his drinking, drunkenness, reliance on hidden cameras, and reckless behavior in pursuit of his supposedly difficult job. Nathan also mistreats his servant Kyoko (Sonoya Mizuno), much to the chagrin of Caleb, who tries to put aside his discomfort and focus on the task at hand: understanding Ava and the limits of her abilities.
As Ex Machina enters its second and third act, Caleb begins to realize that Nathan’s personality is a calculated task. The man is more controlling and cunning than he first appears. Caleb uncovers some of this truth while peering into Nathan’s remote backyard, but he also learns valuable information from Ava herself, who only speaks freely during a sudden power outage. What was deliberately left unclear is whether this disturbance is a result of the separation of the center or a move made by Nathan to see what Caleb says when the cameras go black.
Things get even more complicated when Ava expresses a love interest in Caleb, feelings she finds herself returning. The question that remains is whether this connection is part of his plan or proof that he is capable of real feelings. Caught between an automaton that seems to be growing human and its dubious creator, Caleb is forced to decide if Ava is real in those important ways, or if Nathan is conducting another layer of psychological exploration for his own twisted amusement.
Shouldn’t have signed that NDA, Buddy!
Caleb’s experience in Ex Machina it becomes a great test of trust and understanding. Although Nathan treats him well on the face of it, Caleb is eventually exploited as part of a larger study. Nathan’s emotional encounter is revealed as an act, one that hides the fact that almost every interaction within the institution is observed, recorded, and analyzed. As Caleb learns more about Nathan’s true intentions, it becomes difficult to tell whether he is a visionary on the brink of a scientific breakthrough or an unhinged egomaniac who misuses his company’s resources for deeply personal and disturbing reasons.
At some point, when you find yourself pouring out your deepest thoughts and fears to a soulless person instead of the one person you are meant to work with, it is a clear sign that your dynamic energy has gone completely off the rails. Whether that imbalance is being remedied Ex Machina it’s something you’ll need to see for yourself.
As of this writing, Ex Machina broadcasts to Max.
