MOVIES: Ex Machina

The idea of artificial intelligence has long been explored in film and, alongside cloning, we continue to speculate whether it could ever actually become part of our technological future.

Is it possible? Are we close to developing intelligent life forms through technology? And if so to what extent could these lifeforms develop? Could an A.I ever have an awareness of its own mind? It’s these questions and more that make up the central premise in Alex Garland’s (author of The Beach) directorial debut Ex Machina.

Yet despite its obvious sci-fi set up, Ex Machina is not truly a science fiction movie at heart but more an intelligent, slow burning and tense mysterious thriller. Caleb is a slightly awkward, twenty-something computer programmer who wins an online competition that sees him sent off on a helicopter ride to a remote and picturesque island owned by Nathan; the multi millionaire creator and owner of a hugely popular and successful internet search engine named Blue Book.

It becomes clear from the moment they make their acquaintance that Caleb and Nathan, despite being intellectuals, are polar opposites in regard to character and self confidence. It’s not long before a hungover Nathan reveals the reason behind Caleb’s arrival is to share his research in developing an A.I. creation named Ava. The experiment is to see if Ava is capable of conscious thought through interaction with a stranger. Caleb is the guinea pig, someone new for Ava to interact with and someone fundamentally different to Ava’s creator.

To reveal much more of the plot would be to the detriment of the viewer’s enjoyment as the film’s real strength lies in the character engagement and the uncertainty of their intentions. It could have all easily fallen apart with the wrong players especially as there are very few characters and very little on screen action.

The film relies heavily on clever writing and superb acting to create a real sense of intrigue and scenes packed full of claustrophobic tension. Ex Machina excels in these departments as it is superbly written and expertly performed by all three of the central characters, but it is Oscar Isaac who produces the real standout performance playing the role of Nathan; a rich yet solitary inventor consumed with his life’s work and developing a serious god complex.

Alicia Vikander plays Ava the inquisitive, expressionless A.I with a sense of childlike innocence and Domhnall Gleeson portrays the bright but vulnerable Caleb. It is the character of Caleb that we relate with the most as we know no more than he does at all times. We observe and feel the tension of Caleb’s situation as he desperately struggles to understand what is happening around him and most importantly whom to trust; creator…or creation.

Ex Machina is now showing at Cineworld, Shaw Ridge. Click here for listings.