Ex Machina had very interesting and well-executed campaigns, but all it garnered was a humble buzz surrounding the movie. It seemed like it's targeted towards a small niche; but it was neither an arthouse film nor was it mainstream. Regardless, it soon became one of my top 5 films to watch this year.
Let's get to it:
Spoiler Alert.
Caleb (Domhall Gleeson), a programmer in the world's biggest search engine, Bluebook, won an internal competition to visit the company's elusive CEO—Nathan (Oscar Isaac)—for a week. Initially thinking it was an arbitrary decision, Caleb soon found out that he was specifically chosen to test Nathan's latest project, Ava (Alicia Vikander); an artificial intelligence of the most refined level. Throughout a series of sessions, Caleb and Ava formed a clandestine relationship, which to his knowledge, Nathan is completely oblivious to. Caleb begins to dig into Nathan's past when he announces that he might be reprogramming Ava. He finds out that Nathan had experimented with multiple AIs and treated them as if they were disposable. Caleb realizes that Nathan's own housemaid, Kyoko, is an AI that Nathan had built previously. Caleb and Ava plots to escape but is put to a halt when Nathan finds out about the plan and explains to Caleb that Ava is simply a manipulative robot that is using him as a tool for escape. As Ava's escape plan gets going, Nathan tries to stop her from going outside only to be stabbed in the back (literally) by Kyoko, and dies. Ava dresses herself as a fully-formed human and locks the lovelorn Caleb inside the house before venturing out into the world alone.
Ex Machina is a piece of art. It's the type of film that pulls you in and never lets you go. Every scene is a Chekhov's gun, and every dialogue is integral to the next scene. You can't miss a beat or a cue. Whatever you see and hear will be used against you. It's such a clever film that you will definitely understand the first time, but will appreciate all the little details the second time.
Cinematographically, the film is very similar to Spike Jonze's Her or Steven Sodabergh's Contagion. Everything is very clean cut, nothing is out of place, and every shot leaves you mesmerized. I suppose its very still movements mimic the robotic feel of the film. The colors were sharp but dull; playing with grays and blacks, to juxtapose the green of the outside world. It emphasized the artificiality of Ava herself and the environment she is in. Nathan lived in a top-tiered research facility that felt more like a bomb shelter than it did a home. The claustrophobia was translated very well on screen, and added an even deeper understanding for the audience.
What I never mention in film reviews but caught my eye—or ears—was the score and the foley. The score really tied the film together, but what made Ava seem even more realistic was the subtle buzz she makes whenever she turns. That easily disregarded noise became central to Ava's character. As much as she wanted to be human, she wasn't, and with every movement was a gentle reminder to her and the audience that she is simply a machine welded together to appear human. Ava is a prime example of the uncanny valley hypothesis.
The acting was sublime. With only three actors, the film was brought to life. But it wasn't just their respective performances that made the movie so much more brilliant, it was the screenplay. It's not often that you watch an AI film that posits something new to the table. It took the audience through twists and turns, and was another layer that made the film so great.
Now, I must admit, I had my general assumptions about the ending, and even though it was well made, I was expecting a bit more. Sure, it surprised me a few times, but the ending was simply another AI-faces-the-world trope that's been overdone. The first hour was an incredible journey of discovery, but the ending wasn't quite the bang that the first half made it out to be. It became simply another predictable AI film, but at least one that's captured and crafted better than others.
What I never mention in film reviews but caught my eye—or ears—was the score and the foley. The score really tied the film together, but what made Ava seem even more realistic was the subtle buzz she makes whenever she turns. That easily disregarded noise became central to Ava's character. As much as she wanted to be human, she wasn't, and with every movement was a gentle reminder to her and the audience that she is simply a machine welded together to appear human. Ava is a prime example of the uncanny valley hypothesis.
The acting was sublime. With only three actors, the film was brought to life. But it wasn't just their respective performances that made the movie so much more brilliant, it was the screenplay. It's not often that you watch an AI film that posits something new to the table. It took the audience through twists and turns, and was another layer that made the film so great.
Now, I must admit, I had my general assumptions about the ending, and even though it was well made, I was expecting a bit more. Sure, it surprised me a few times, but the ending was simply another AI-faces-the-world trope that's been overdone. The first hour was an incredible journey of discovery, but the ending wasn't quite the bang that the first half made it out to be. It became simply another predictable AI film, but at least one that's captured and crafted better than others.
Watching the film, I wasn't sure whether to side with the crazed mastermind Nathan or the emotionally-driven Caleb. Sure, Nathan was a drunk that disposed of his AIs like they were toys, but I couldn't help but despise Caleb for ruining Nathan's chances at developing the world's first true AI. Caleb saw Ava and previous AIs has humans, not robots. He didn't see Ava as wires and plastic because he believed she had a soul and a mind. For Nathan, Ava is simply his creation; a thing he made with his hands in a laboratory, and I completely agree. But Caleb wasn't there during the process, so he only saw the final outcome. Caleb was willing to lie to another human being for the sake of a metal soulless creature, and I found that infuriating. It's a case of logic versus emotion. Nathan was pure mind, and Caleb was pure heart.
I urge everyone to watch it. It's such a beautifully made film with all the layers in the right place. It's somewhat predictable, but it doesn't take away from the pleasure of watching what a truly great film looks and feels like. I give it a 9/10. It's such a pleasure for my eyes that I would like to watch it again soon.
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