Ex Machina (2014)

My Review

“Ex Machina” is a science fiction story about a computer programmer who is asked to assess a humanoid robot built by his employer, a wealthy businessman who has things to hide. The drama proceeds from there, well written and directed by Alex Garland in his first time at the helm of a major motion picture.

The cast includes Domhnall Gleeson as the programmer, Oscar Isaac of the CEO, Alicia Vikander as Eve the AI gal, Sonoya Mizuno as the CEO’s main squeeze, Corey Johnson as the helicopter pilot, and Tiffany Pisani, Claire Selby, Symara Templeman, Gana Bayarsaikhan, and Lina Alminas as earlier AI prototypes.

“Ex Machina” was a modest success in theatrical release for A24 Films and Universal Pictures. It was filmed in Norway and England. The 108 minute long movie won a single Oscar for Best Visual Effects and one nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Gleeson and Isaac also appeared in two other films together – “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015) and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (2017).