If you're familiar with Alex Garland (Dredd scribe), then you'll know how much he's been influenced by and influences Danny Boyle. It wasn't until I researched him after this movie that I gained this insight. As a fan of Boyle, I won't spoil which works Garland was a co-affiliate on, but trust me when I say his writing resume's worth its weight in gold. In his directorial debut, Garland elevates things even more as he takes a story he wrote and transposes it to a visually spectacular sci-fi canvas whose plot has more than enough legs to run on, nudging the audience (with some discomfort) in just the right measures. It had my friends and I discussing it way into the night and debating its themes and messages to prove my point. All in all, it's one of the most solid, sensual and provocative debuts I've ever seen.
The cast is spot on with Domnhall Gleeson and Oscar Isaac bringing great charismas and more so, a great chemistry to the screen. Gleeson's Caleb finds himself in the madhouse of a genius (Nathan as portrayed by Isaac) which definitely teases well for fans awaiting The Force Awakens. Caleb finds himself entwined in a web of mystery with artifical intelligence (represented by AVA who's remarkably brought to life by the enigmatic Alicia Vikander).
The story unfolds very hauntingly and the cinematography helps build the jarring scenes that poke and prod at issues such as God, existentialism and of course, humanity. Webs of deceit start to unfold on our unsuspecting protagonist which ends up spiraling into one of the biggest mind-games I've seen in a while. Think
Gone Girl meets Kubrick meets
A.I.
The ending's really well worked and feels organic which is a huge thing given that many writers have tried this mechanism and risk - only to miserably fail. Garland's story has the right doses of flair and substance to it as it touches on a lot of human emotions that'll surely elicit responses earmarked by the audience questioning a lot about life, loyalty and ultimately, trust. Ex Machina is a visceral novel that unravels in a manner that leaves you begging for more. The mid-third feels a bit loopy but minor flaws aside, it's astounding and sci-fi done right. It's character-driven and they all deliver in spades. Kudos!
Grade: A
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