Ex Machina

A nod to a future sci-fi classic. A beautifully intriguing, disturbing, unpredictable and decently suspenseful intelligent thriller that throws in a decent twist in the last half hour, although I had already read the final one, but I still have a positive impression. The film may have a slower pace, but it also lures the viewer's attention with very impressive interiors and a decent soundtrack, at times almost horror-like. Too bad they didn't push the bar at least two notches higher at the end, I would have considered five stars then, still a decent hypnotic cinema experience. 80% (08/05/2015)

Ex Machina doesn’t bring anything groundbreaking, untraditional or shocking to the table, but the way it gets to its (non-revolutionary) outcome is so convincing that I was enchanted by Garland and I even considered giving him five stars. The script is very smart, it confuses the viewer with a variety of frantic possibilities for the plot to move forward (that they have to figure out together with, Caleb, the protagonist), only to take the less crazy and more logical path. The viewer is basically in the skin of Caleb and the ending feels like a devastating revelation. Whenever I thought that the script was getting stupid, after a couple of minutes it became clear that what was stupid was the behaviour of one of the characters, and the script was very well aware of that stupidity. Ex Machina is sci-fi in the tradition of the best representatives of the film and literary genre. The soundtrack and the design of the interiors and exteriors also deserve special praise. (03/05/2015)

Clever and sophisticated. Just to its own detriment, not as clever and sophisticated as it seems. Above all, the final fifteen-minute ending gives the impression that they don't know how to go on, so they just make it easier for themselves and incorporate the easiest way out of it in terms of a screenplay. They do not care at all it doesn't fit the previous story line. The Black Mirror anthology often addresses the same themes and asks the same questions, but finds much more interesting, more disturbingly current and not so obvious answers to them. Which does not mean that it is not a nicely intimate, intelligent and, above all, high-quality sci-fi, which is quite rare. Especially in Czech cinemas. PS: And if nothing else, at least the shooting took place at the Norwegian Juvet Landscape Hotel, so it is an impressive example of organic architecture in practice. (28/04/2015)

Clear evidence that electronics labeled smart are a potential threat. That’s why I decided to disconnect my smart washing machine. I'll miss the quiet rustling of my dirty laundry, but what wouldn't a man do for safety. I also unplugged my computer because it was suspiciously overheating while playing this movie, and my monitor because it was flickering suspiciously. I'm glad I caught it so early, no one will make a fool of me! (05/09/2015)

Ex Machina is a sensitive and engaging depiction of artificial intelligence shrouded in mystery with a pleasant sci-fi feel. The actress playing the female android is great. But the surprising twist and the way it is used dramatically proves that screenwriter and director Alex Garland might not be as clever as his brilliant male heroes. (22/05/2015)