One of the Strangest Movies I’ve Ever Watched Is Leaving HBO Max Soon
In 2015, screenwriter Alex Garland made his directing debut with Ex Machina, a sci-fi film that explores the concept of an Artificial Intelligence possibly achieving true sentience. What an intriguing idea!
Ex Machina was a moderate success, raking in $37.3 million globally on a budget of $15 million.
Over the past 11 years, its acclaim has only increased, positioning it as one of the standout films of the 2010s — and certainly one of the most unique.
Watch With Us is a huge admirer of Ex Machina due to its eccentricity, which is why you should stream it before it exits HBO Max at the end of the month.
The Premise Remains Relevant Over a Decade Later
As many have observed, AI has become increasingly integrated into our lives over the past decade, already impacting job markets. While there’s no AI matching Ava (Alicia Vikander) at present, the concept of creating such a being isn’t too far-fetched for the future. Numerous films have explored the notion of rogue AI, notably in the Terminator series.
Ex Machina takes a distinct route. Though Ava does venture into rogue territory, she still embodies a very human essence. Domhnall Gleeson is well-cast as Caleb Smith, the ordinary programmer who is captivated by the potential that Ava embodies, even before meeting her. Gleeson infuses the film with humanity as he sees in Ava reflections of his own desires, along with aspects of her character that she believes will attract him. People already form unhealthy attachments to chatbots; if they appeared as alluring as Ava, we might face even greater issues.
Oscar Isaac as a Different Type of Frankenstein
It’s quite ironic that Oscar Isaac’s recent portrayal of Victor Frankenstein in Netflix’s Frankenstein mirrors his character Nathan Bateman in Ex Machina. Nathan brought Ava to life without considering the ramifications of his actions, focusing instead on his personal accolades. Although Nathan seems congenial, he also exhibits a god-like self-satisfaction about his creation.
Recently, many of HBO Max’s top sci-fi films were sourced from Disney’s 20th Century Studios. Unfortunately, when Disney reclaimed those titles, HBO Max lost several of its premier films in this genre. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email. Please enter a valid email. […]
If Ava displays manipulative tendencies, it seems to be a trait absorbed from Nathan. Although Nathan acts friendly towards Caleb, he seems more interested in Caleb’s contributions to the experiment. He resembles a modern bro version of Frankenstein; ultimately, he pays for his overconfidence, just like Victor.
Alicia Vikander Delivers a Transcendent Performance
Ex Machina received a well-deserved Oscar for Best Special Effects, but its most significant strength lies in Vikander’s portrayal of Ava. The idea of Caleb administering a Turing Test on Ava is ironic, as the entire film serves as a Turing Test for the audience.
Viewers witness various facets of Vikander’s Ava as she skillfully manipulates Caleb. This talent may not have aligned with Nathan’s original intentions. However, if Nathan wanted Ava to understand her role, he should never have given her a female form in the first place.
Ex Machina is available for streaming on HBO Max until April 30.
