Ex Machina

The future of advanced technology comes at a steep price. So says Alex Garland, the acclaimed writer of The Beach, 28 Days Later, Sunshine, and the eagerly anticipated, but ultimately unlikely to come to fruition Halo film based on the gargantuan X-Box video game franchise.

Garland makes his directorial debut with Ex Machina, a sci-fi cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of artificial intelligence. Sharp, understated performances highlight this curiously eerie film with a feel of originality devoid of pretension. Where it could easily fall into the trap of conformity, Ex Machina has a unique feel that boldly stays true to the writer's vision. Garland is hit or miss, but this seems to be a passion project and his work has paid off.

Computer coder Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) wins an intra-office contest and is flown to the secluded island compound of the mysterious recluse founder and CEO of the company Blueprint, Nathan, played by the incredibly talented Oscar Isaac. Blueprint is the equivalent of what Google could be with a bit more R&D and a more sinister agenda. Right off the bat, something doesn't seem quite right, but Caleb warms up to Nathan and is explained the real purpose of his week long vacation. Or is he? Nathan is testing an artificial intelligence creation named Ava, who is learning human behavior more every day. Every character has secrets, and it isn't until the very end that the truth is revealed in a chilling turn of events.

Rounding out the cast is Alicia Vikander as Ava. She is more human than machine, and although the human pieces raises questions about the "how" more for the outside than the inside, it is easily forgivable in the name of science fiction. Becoming more human as the film goes on amps up the tension, and the simple plot, hidden in a fog of science and strangely plain characters adds to the effect. Nathan and Caleb are not especially deep characters. They have flaws and in many ways are opposites, but they aren't the focal point. the elephant in the room is Ava. Ava is curious but cool and confident. She is entrancing despite her obvious mechanical components, and for that, Vikander deserves kudos.

Oscar Isaac is the wild card. A genius recluse is a bit cliche, but his character is given an interesting personality. You never get the impression that he is a genius except by inference. His demeanor and manner of speaking is more spoiled rich kid than anything else, and he has a very cool and composed attitude. Throw in the alcoholism and the fact that he's a self-made man and you have a very interesting character. Garland doesn't delve too deeply into the development, but, as the idiom goes, "the devil is in the details".

Domhnall Gleeson is a deer in the headlights for most of the film. Too happy to be in the presence of AI and his employer to break out into any sort of memorable character. It fits though, as he's not the focal point any more than Isaac is. The true star is the haunting reality that artificial intelligence may truly be possible, whatever form it takes. And that all of the doomsday nightmare scenarios and unforeseen moral and ethical dilemmas may soon really be facing humanity. Obviously it won't be like Ex Machina, but technology is creeping dangerously close to the possibility, and that's what makes this such a cool movie. The ending is interesting, but not altogether surprising.

What is different about Ex Machina is that the ending is hidden in plain sight the entire film. There is no attempt at a fancy twist or clever red herring. Would I have enjoyed that a bit more? Of course, but it is also enjoyable simply for what it is; something different, and a pretty well done science fiction story. 7/10.