Robots are so complicated, both mechanically and psychologically. At least according to Ex Machina, a recent rave and a sci-fi thriller with some seriously heady themes. When young programmer Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) wins a lottery to spend a week with insanely rich tech genius Nathan (Oscar Isaac) at his ginormous estate, he assumes he’s hit the jackpot. Upon Caleb’s arrival, Nathan reveals that he’s been working on developing a sophisticated artificial intelligence, the robotic Ava (Alicia Vikander). Nathan asks Caleb to begin a series of one-on-one interview sessions with Ava in order to determine her emotional intelligence, instigating a game of cat and mouse between everyone involved. Is Ava using Caleb? Does Nathan know more about Caleb than he’s letting on? Why are female cyborgs always so hot? Find this out and more tonight at the Brattle.
—Pablo Torroella
Ex Machina
2015
dir. Alex Garland
108 min
Part of the ongoing series: Recent Raves