Ex Machina

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Ex Machina

R

2015

1h 48m

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

290 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) a programmer at a huge Internet company, wins a contest that enables him to spend a week at the private estate of Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac), his firm's brilliant CEO. When he arrives, Caleb learns that he has been chosen to be the human component in a Turing test to determine the capabilities and consciousness of Ava (Alicia Vikander), a beautiful robot. However, it soon becomes evident that Ava is far more self-aware and deceptive than either man imagined.

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Critics Consensus

Ex Machina leans heavier on ideas than effects, but it's still a visually polished piece of work -- and an uncommonly engaging sci-fi feature.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Apr 5, 2024

4.5/5

...the brilliance of the film is the way we become Garland’s Turing Test subjects.

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Kjerstin Johnson

Bitch Media

Jan 27, 2021

I enjoyed watching the small cast of characters conspire with and against one another within the confines of a chillingly beautiful and remote techno-bunker.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

May 28, 2016

A crackling good entertainment, a brainy science fiction picture executed in a clean, concise style, with a narrative as logical as it is unpredictable.

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Jazzmin Crawley

Girl, That's Scary (Podcast)

Jul 24, 2026

Ex Machina displays all of the reasons why we need to step away from the dark side of tech.

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Jaylan Salah

Vague Visages

Jul 6, 2026

"‘Ex Machina’ is not a projection of A.I. fear, but more of a preliminary intervention on the organized process of fearing and hating women."

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Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Jan 12, 2026

4.5/5

A heady, challenging philosophy lesson feels more relevant today than it did 10 years ago.

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Matt

Mar 28, 2024

Al. Robots. Need I say more? Absolutely loved seeing this in IMAX Laser. Fully packed auditorium.

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Sebastian F

@RT93262074 Oct 4, 2026

Loved the way they approached the topic of consciousness with the necessary ambiguity needed for a philosophical topic like this. Stellar performances all around and well-written morally gray characters.

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Lovell T

@Lovell Sep 28, 2026

The titular and definitive film about AI, now more relevant than ever.

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Brandon B

@syncopatedbeet Sep 22, 2026

An intelligent and mind bending science fiction film. Keeps you at the edge of your seat the entire time.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 13, 2026

Ex Machina (I own a copy on DVD) = a 4.5 star Movie

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke Aug 19, 2026

Even though it’s a decade old, it feels remarkably contemporary, dealing with tech issues that are even more relevant today than when it was made: AI, autonomy, and the fear of intelligent machines surpassing us and ultimately taking control. These ideas are presented thoughtfully and realistically rather than through conventional action-movie storytelling. The special effects used to create the transparent robotic bodies are beautiful and still completely convincing. The spare, percussive soundtrack is just right, as is the striking ultra-modern building set against the remote wilderness.

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Alex Garland

Director

Domhnall Gleeson

Caleb Smith

Oscar Isaac

Nathan Bateman

Alicia Vikander

Ava

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Synopsis

Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) a programmer at a huge Internet company, wins a contest that enables him to spend a week at the private estate of Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac), his firm's brilliant CEO. When he arrives, Caleb learns that he has been chosen to be the human component in a Turing test to determine the capabilities and consciousness of Ava (Alicia Vikander), a beautiful robot. However, it soon becomes evident that Ava is far more self-aware and deceptive than either man imagined.

Director: Alex Garland
Producer: Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich
Distributor: A24
Production Co: DNA Films
Rating: R (Language|Graphic Nudity|Sexual References|Some Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 24, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 28, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.4M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Datasat
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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