Ex Machina 2015

I first watched this back in college after randomly seeing a trailer. At that time I did not really understand Alex Garland’s style yet, so it came across as boring to me. I was expecting something more action driven. But now, watching it again, I see it more as a reflective film. It is not about action, it is about ideas. What surprised me is how ahead of its time it feels. The writers and director probably knew too much about AI even during pre production. Back then, most people were not as aware or exposed to AI compared to now. It felt like pure science fiction. But today, a lot of what the film explores feels closer to reality. Even the idea of singularity is directly touched on. The film dives into a lot of concepts. AGI, consciousness and whether AI can truly feel, tech companies exploiting user data, hacking phones, and using search engines as raw material to build an artificial brain. It also explores how humans can develop emotional attachment to AI, and how AI might use that attachment to manipulate humans. That idea of being controlled without realizing it feels very real and very scary. Oscar Isaac is terrifying here. He really plays the role of a mad scientist well. There is something unpredictable about him. And at the same time, that random dance scene just shows how unhinged he is. Dude got some moves! The final nude scene of Ava feels almost spiritual to me. It is like witnessing the birth of her identity. Not just physically completing her form, but becoming something independent. A being that is no longer just a creation, but something that can exist on its own terms.