So when does the test subject become the tester? When that test subject’s artificial intelligence adapts and develops its own consciousness and self-awareness. Such is the premise behind first time director, Alex Garland’s Ex Machina. For all its discussion about the visuals behind Ex Machina, and they are quite impressive to say the least, it’s fairly minimal in the overall context of the film. Warning spoilers ahead…
Ex Machina tells the story of Caleb Smith (Gleeson), a programmer who wins a company competition to spend a week with the CEO, Nathan Bateman (Isaac) on his private estate. It is here where Caleb learns that he is to be the human component in a testing involving Nathan’s latest and most ambitious artificial intelligence creation, Ava (Vikander).
Nathan observes the interaction between the two. Caleb at first doesn’t realize this until Ava brings it to his somewhat native attention. When Caleb first arrives at the mountainous estate, he is in awe of his surroundings and of Nathan himself. It’s only as he divulges deeper into his testing with Ava and develops feelings for her that he becomes more aware that something isn’t quite right. Caleb begins to question Nathan. There’s something morally wrong with this experiment as his human qualities begin to take over.
Nathan wants to create an A.I. who’s human like appearance and emotional presence doesn’t set them apart from their human counterparts. There’s an old saying that a trapped animal is the most dangerous. They will adapt and do what is necessary for their survival. Human beings are no different and as we learn, A.I.’s who are programmed to be as human as possible, will learn to do the same. What will always separate man from machine is the moral compass of right and wrong.
Ex Machina is very thought provoking and cerebral. At times I was bored by the long bouts of chatter. But by the final act and final scenes all the insecurities and questions one would have about making A.I.’s too much like us, come to fruition. This film is filled with great performances by the three main actors; Issac in particular is a standout as the eccentric billionaire may get recognized come “Oscar” time. No pun intended regarding the name.
Directed by: Alex Garland
Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac and Alicia Vikander
Ex Machina – ***1/2 (Out of 5 stars)
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
