The Machine

Name: The Machine
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Released: April 25, 2014
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 52

2014

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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The Machine

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Movie Details & Credits

XLrator Media | Release Date: April 25, 2014 | R

Summary: Britain's Ministry of Defense is on the brink of developing a game-changing weapon. Lead scientist Vincent McCarthy (Toby Stephens) provides the answer with his creation, The Machine—an android with unrivaled physical and processing skills. When a programming glitch causes an early prototype to destroy his lab, McCarthy enlists artificialBritain's Ministry of Defense is on the brink of developing a game-changing weapon. Lead scientist Vincent McCarthy (Toby Stephens) provides the answer with his creation, The Machine—an android with unrivaled physical and processing skills. When a programming glitch causes an early prototype to destroy his lab, McCarthy enlists artificial intelligence expert Ava (Caity Lotz) to help him harness the full potential of a truly conscious fighting machine.… Expand

Director: Caradog W. James

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 91 min

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Critic Reviews

Robert Abele

Apr 24, 2014

Even with a cut-and-dried approach to characterization and the issue of man-made consciousness, The Machine percolates with an elegantly palpable sense of wonder and danger. Read full review

Time Out London Anna Smith

Mar 18, 2014

The characters could use more depth – Vincent’s backstory is told too swiftly, and his bonding with Ava is brief. But it’s still a smart, thought-provoking little thriller with strong central performances. Read full review

Empire Kim Newman

Mar 18, 2014

Brimming with ideas and laudable ambition, it's well worth a look. Read full review

The Playlist Gabe Toro

Mar 18, 2014

When Lotz is not onscreen, Stephens is miserable company. But James does reveal a deep fascination with the robotics that suggests the threadbare story was a chance for him to explore the very real advances in artificial intelligence. Read full review

Dennis Harvey

Apr 23, 2014

Closer to “Her” in its musing on human/machine connectivity, while also incorporating the dystopian and action-thriller aspects of “Blade Runner” and its ilk, albeit on a much smaller scale, the pic will divide fantasy fans, some of whom will give it props for breaking somewhat from genre formula, while others will be disappointed by the largely budgetary limits of its imagination. Read full review

Nick Schager

Apr 22, 2014

If the proceedings prove far too familiar, director Caradog W. James delivers a few striking images... as well as a sinister cautionary-tale finale made all the more unsettling by its use of a sterling John Carpenter-style synthesizer score. Read full review

Andrew Lapin

Apr 23, 2014

The Machine is small science fiction. In a genre that openly invites invention, it barely bothers. Read full review

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User Reviews

wwinter86

Sep 16, 2014

I am not much into sci-fi and so bought this movie cheap on DVD and didn't bother getting the Blu Ray, but now I really regret this as it has become one of my favourite movies. The film kept my attention through out. It deserved a bigger budget, but did very well with what it had.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

EinRand

Jul 22, 2014

A Dark Menacing Gem of a Film
Use of darkness to focus attention was unique. Nice menacing dark undertone that is lacking in so many optimistic films of the future. The combination of believable actors, story and excellent - but not overbearing CGI - all combined to make this film deservingA Dark Menacing Gem of a Film
Use of darkness to focus attention was unique. Nice menacing dark undertone that is lacking in so many optimistic films of the future. The combination of believable actors, story and excellent - but not overbearing CGI - all combined to make this film deserving of your attention. Caity Lotz was freakishly beautiful and menacing at once. Bravo.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

Raygirl

Aug 15, 2014

I liked this movie and I'm very critical of movies, esp. Sci-Fi. Was it Blade Runner or Matrix? No, but it was enjoyable and had a good ending. It's worth a watch even though the critics didn't like it.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

JamesIrish68

Nov 1, 2015

An unusual low budget sci-fi, but they use the budget very well. Very realistic in its depiction of near future technology and well acted by all players. Its dark, understated and a bit depressing in typical British fashion. The UK Ministry of Defence is always way more sinister than its USAn unusual low budget sci-fi, but they use the budget very well. Very realistic in its depiction of near future technology and well acted by all players. Its dark, understated and a bit depressing in typical British fashion. The UK Ministry of Defence is always way more sinister than its US equivalent. A bit on the slow side but Its worth it. Toby Stephens I'd like to see more of.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

LibraRage

Apr 27, 2014

Although not perfect, worth a look! This movie kept me captivated the entire way through with all its twist and turns. I would have given this film a high score if it had given just a little more. It felt it should have longer, the story/plot has a lot of potential but makes due within its budget.

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

LeZee

Dec 24, 2016

Creating an artificial intelligence, but its intelligence beyond expected's the issue.

Maybe the films about artificial intelligence that were made in the last 5 years might outnumber to those were made before that for centuries. Especially there are lots of B movies on this theme and someCreating an artificial intelligence, but its intelligence beyond expected's the issue.

Maybe the films about artificial intelligence that were made in the last 5 years might outnumber to those were made before that for centuries. Especially there are lots of B movies on this theme and some of them surpassed the film critics and the film fanatics' expectations. Here is another one, but this is a British film. Though one thing I don't understand is, in all these films they make the same mistakes. I mean the film characters recognising the AI as one of us which leads to a major disaster.

Sets in the future, when the Chinese aggression towards the Taiwan made the west, especially Britain to counteract them in the region, they decide to build a most advanced AI. But when the scientist creates beyond what the military needed, the conflict of interest surface among them. From this, who gains what, and how the story ends comes in the latter part.

Initially I liked it, but not the progression. It led nowhere, but the same crumble and a conflict between the man and the machine. I'm not saying the film was bad, but I blame the overcrowded films on this theme. The filmmakers have to start to think a different kind of storyline. Going advance like what AIs can do in the field than the initiation programmes which is too old for now and onwards. So that's where I disliked it, but not hated it. I hope you enjoyed it better than me or would do if you yet to try.

5/10… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

blue5peed

Nov 28, 2015

I cannot recommend this move which is sad to say as I am a huge fan of all things cyberpunk. Yes it has good ideas and nice vfx but the director fails to pull it all together (poor acting also). The characters are paper thin and the relationships between the characters feel more like a meansI cannot recommend this move which is sad to say as I am a huge fan of all things cyberpunk. Yes it has good ideas and nice vfx but the director fails to pull it all together (poor acting also). The characters are paper thin and the relationships between the characters feel more like a means to an end for the writer rather than actual relationships with any meaning. If you have not seen Ex Machina, please go watch that masterpiece instead. Please don't waste 2 hours of your life on this movie.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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