Ex_Machina (2015) REVIEW

This film caught me completely off guard. It is as intelligent as it is disturbing, and it is as artificial as it is human.
Ex_Machina starts with young coder Caleb (Domnhall Gleeson) who wins a competition at work to visit the CEO of the company Nathan (Oscar Issac) where he ends up participating in a new project about synthetic life, Nathan has been creating new a robot - Ava (Alicia Vikander). Caleb is asked to question Ava, to test if she is artificial intelligence and she soon takes a liking to him. Nathan is watching in the shadows, with a bad thirst for alcohol, he is in the edge of destruction - which could prove very bad for Caleb and Ava...
Written AND directed by Alex Garland, who wrote the novel and screen play of the Beach, and screenplay for one of my favourites - 28 Days Later - I should have known this would be something special. The writing is clever, subtle but with a horrid sense of dread just under the surface, with Garland's direction reflecting that. The plot never feels predictable or recycled, this is one of the most original films in years.
The 3 leads act with confidence, conveying characters that feel already lived in. Issac takes a creepy turn, whereas Gleeson is naive, vulnerable. Vikander is captivating, her wide eyed gaze shows Ava's curiosity but also her deep rooted fear. Vikander should have got the Oscar for this just as much as the Danish Girl. This almost feels like a long play with 3 leads, plotting against one another.
The film isn't afraid to treat the audience as smart, which is very refreshing these days. There are not any loud breadcrumb clues - it makes us question everything and as a result we are really allowed, no pushed, to think. As tension heightened, I literally began to hold my breath. The only moment I was able to laugh was during Nathan's dance scene, which was as hilarious as it was horrifying.
All in all, this is an intelligent, beautiful and awe inspiring film which has clearly been nurtured by an excellent first time director, stellar cast and excellent script. 9.5/10