Ex Machina - Movie Review

Chris Stuckmann reviews Ex Machina, starring Oscaar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander. Directed by Alex Garland.

[Yogkog]

So no one is going to mention the greatest scene in the movie? A certain scene where Oscar Isaac tears up the dancefloor?

[gomez]

"You tore up her picture"
"I'm about to tear the fucking dance floor dude check it out"

[dcanmore]

I enjoyed this film, with a $15m budget and essentially four people in a house, this movie was way better than some $150m+ so called 'bockbusters' I've seen.

[kudacg]

Chris: Im going to give this movie a B
Ava: Lie

[ThesWolf_]

Alicia Vikander is a really good actress. I don't think I have seen many actresses/actors that can show that emotion she can. Truly stunning.

[nienryu]

I'm not sure why Nathan was painted to be immoral. It's his creations, so he should be able to tinker with them however he sees fit. Clearly none of them were stable enough to be let out.

[ARCMusic]

Chris my disagreements (Spoiler alert)

Firstly Caleb's character was deliberately chosen by Nathan for the experiment, a smart single introvert who would easily develop feelings for Ava. So IMO Domhnall was on point not cliche, he created tension well and his decisions were unpredictable because his chemistry was great with both characters.

Secondly when Caleb is dropped off by the helicopter at the start, the pilot specifically mentions he cannot drop him off any further. An bearing in mind Nathan asks Caleb to sign a disclosure agreement to participate in the experiment at the start of the film, its fairly easy to assume the pilot must of signed something similar. After all Nathan near the end refers to the experiment as Ava like a rat trying to escape. My thoughts were that Nathan knew it was only matter of time, hence his eccentric behavior and constant drinking.

Amazing young cast, Clever script and a directors debut. Face it, the film is class and will only get better with age.

[TentaclePentacle]

why does the pilot accept that?
Because, deus ex machina.

[maujo]

I think the movie deserved an A or A-. I disagree with Chris' views on the actions of Domhnall Gleeson's character.

[chipo]

Who's watched "Black Mirror"? It's funny Domhall Gleeson is in a movie about falling in love with or living with an Artificial Person. Sounds a lot like his episode of "Black Mirror" Highly recommend the show even if it is a little messed up

[TheNatureFreak]

U liked Unfriended more than this movie? :O
Well, I gotta disagree with that one

[kaatyblue]

Highly disagree with this one. Ex Machina was an A+ for me.

[robotputty]

This movie can't be over hyped or overrated to any extent, because it was a perfect movie. I bet the marketers didn't give Chris enough money to get a grade it deserves.

[Refridgerraptor]

Spoiler.


If Caleb shared his suspicions straight away or a couple tests in, after Ava said not to trust Nathan, that would have been the proof Nathan needed to reach the conclusion about his AI.... Thus eliminating the need for further testing. So Ava not only manipulated Caleb to feel for her, but manipulated Caleb not to tell Nathan so he wouldnt end his test early and remove her chance for escape.... Smart AI.

[Sethpelepchuk]

Am I the only one that LOVED the ending?

[Ninaofthes]

Spoiler Alert!

Chris, let me explain the helicopter scene. It only had one purpose: Deus ex machina (god from the machine). This is what the scene ultimately means. We don't even hear the conversation between Ava end the pilot. She gets out of there without any explanation --> providential intervention.
It's brilliant!
But it's also the ultimate test for her because now she can find out if she can use her ability to manipulate others to get out of an impossible situation. And she succeeded!

[Olamellamoalex]

This movie is superb, far from overrated.

[NgBrad]

I love it when at the end Ava says stay here, and Caleb behaved like a nice puppy.

[jdg]

Don't care about the word "Overrated". Garbage word. So with that out of the way, I liked Domhnall Gleeson's performance. Oscar Isaac and Alicia Vikander were good too. Think the film is a little better than you're giving it credit for. I'm giving the film an "A+". I gotta side with Jeremy Jahns and Schmoes Know reviews on this film.

[littlebill]

Spoiler Alert: I disagree about the ending being "predictable" it was inevitable. Not every movie has to have some unseen ending or twist at the end that no one saw coming. Everyone loves a good twist but it's not always needed.
I thought the ending was perfect. It was an imminent end we all knew was coming but that's what was great about it. It was almost biblical.