Ex Machina

Name: Ex Machina
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller
Released: April 10, 2015
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Sonoya Mizuno

2015

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 1375 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 1375 Ratings

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Ex Machina

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: April 10, 2015 | R

Starring: Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Sonoya Mizuno

Summary: 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 withCaleb 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, seductive––and more deceptive––than the two men could have imagined.… Expand

Director: Alex Garland

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 108 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Steven Rea

Apr 24, 2015

A riveting sci-fi investigation into humankind's experiments with A.I. (with pages from Spike Jonze's Her and Stanley Kubrick's 2001), Ex Machina marks the extremely able directing debut of British writer Alex Garland, of the novels "The Beach" and "The Tesseract," and of the screenplays for Danny Boyle's "28 Days Later" . . . and "Sunshine." Read full review

100

Rosie Fletcher

Jan 20, 2015

It plays like Frankenstein meets Blade Runner via Hitchcock haunted by the ghosts of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, in a film that’s both highly literate and steeped in tense cat-and-mouse chills. Thematically epic – it demands to be seen at least twice and should fuel hours of debate — structurally it’s as lithe as Ava’s perfect mesh frame. Read full review

Joe Williams

Apr 23, 2015

With a stellar cast and seductive look, Ex Machina is a sleek contraption for capturing our imagination. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Apr 16, 2015

Alas, the movie cannot resolve its story in any sort of surprising or truly fresh way. Where's a good old-fashioned deus ex machina capper when you need it? It's worth seeing nonetheless. Read full review

Liam Lacey

Apr 23, 2015

Ex Machina is a clever film with one indelible performance from Isaac. Read full review

Tasha Robinson

Apr 9, 2015

None of Ex Machina’s broad strokes are surprising: The story falls out so predictably at every stage that it can be frustrating. It’s the details that are surprising, and purposefully alarming. Read full review

Ed Gonzalez

Mar 19, 2015

In the end, more than just the machine remains an enigma. Read full review

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User Reviews

ciorga

Apr 10, 2015

Alex Garland is a genius. No matter what his movie's are about they are simply extraordinary. This one is definitely worth the time. I highly recommend watching it.

31 of 54 users found this helpful3123

SileSixEcho

Feb 15, 2016

One of the best movies I saw in recent time and one that I actually wanted to watch again before it even was over. The movie gives enough substance to think about and to revisit and stellar performances.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

YellowKirby

Jan 30, 2016

Where do I begin... Oscar Isaac was amazing, Domhnall Gleeson was amazing, Alicia Vikander was amazing... all the performances were award-worthy, I think.

Another great thing was the way it built up tension so well, and how complex and slightly disturbing the story turned out in the end.Where do I begin... Oscar Isaac was amazing, Domhnall Gleeson was amazing, Alicia Vikander was amazing... all the performances were award-worthy, I think.

Another great thing was the way it built up tension so well, and how complex and slightly disturbing the story turned out in the end. It was amazing. One of the best films of 2015.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

reviewf00

Jun 17, 2015

Loved this movie. The way Ava was introduced was stunning, simplistic, and an amazing moment in the movie. Watch for it!

The special effects were really subtle and meaningful, and the cinematography was lovely. The nerdy protagonist was rough around the edges, but his sociopathicLoved this movie. The way Ava was introduced was stunning, simplistic, and an amazing moment in the movie. Watch for it!

The special effects were really subtle and meaningful, and the cinematography was lovely.

The nerdy protagonist was rough around the edges, but his sociopathic technological wiz boss was pretty spot on. This is an interesting thinky-type movie about AI and the ramifications of rights surrounding the concept of sentience.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LegitSalt

Feb 25, 2020

One of A24’s first films, setting the Studio up for all the success that it has had and deserved thus far. On a surface level, this film is the story of a John Doe who makes a maybe not so lucky break into the tech world and discovers the deep secrets of the sinister industry. However, on aOne of A24’s first films, setting the Studio up for all the success that it has had and deserved thus far. On a surface level, this film is the story of a John Doe who makes a maybe not so lucky break into the tech world and discovers the deep secrets of the sinister industry. However, on a deeper, and not that deep of a level, this is an exploration of what it means to be human, i.e. who/what draws the line between artificial intelligence and humans. Additionally, the film responds to this same question with another one. If the dichotomy between AI and humans is less a Venn Diagram than it is a singular circle, then how can either be assured of their respective identity? Even further, does it matter what label we associate with if it isn’t a visible one, and is self-destruction the most efficient means for self-exploration? Aside from philosophy, the set design and especially the special effects are extraordinarily phenomenal, providing something that hasn’t since been replicated to the same effect. The performances by Isaac, Vikander, and Gleeson were all quite good, all of which subvert or satirize traditional gender roles. Notably, Isaac’s two-faced portrayal of his character helped keep the plot moving and the tension high. Garland’s writing talent continues to shine with this film illustrating a distinct style that isn’t present elsewhere in Hollywood. Garland’s directorial debut, while not the greatest cinema ever made, is certainly a stand out entry indicative of his potential and work to come.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

whatthesh1t

Jun 19, 2015

Pros: scenery, CGI, philosophy
Cons: plot holes, ending
I don't know about this movie. On one hand, I question: what would I do in X situation. I certainly wouldn't do some of the mistakes that the actors made in the script. Some parts are just: WTF were they thinking and it ruins thePros: scenery, CGI, philosophy
Cons: plot holes, ending

I don't know about this movie. On one hand, I question: what would I do in X situation. I certainly wouldn't do some of the mistakes that the actors made in the script. Some parts are just: WTF were they thinking and it ruins the movie partially. Overall, the concept of an AI robot that looks like a human and the implications of such a creation is intriguing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Pnkstr

Jul 18, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have no idea where all these positive reviews are coming from. This movie was shallow predictable and boring. If your looking for something thought provoking, thrilling or at least mildly interesting this isn't it.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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88	#88 Best Movie of 2015
16	#16 Most Discussed Movie of 2015
63	#63 Most Shared Movie of 2015