WARNING: ‘Warfare’ Fans, You’re Missing Alex Garland’s DARKER Masterpiece

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Since making a significant impact in 2002 with the screenplay for “28 Days Later“, Alex Garland has solidified himself as one of today’s most dependable genre filmmakers. With additional recognition garnered from his work on “Never Let Me Go” and “Dredd“, he’s consistently showcased exceptional directorial skills. Despite the underwhelming response to “Men“, Garland has left audiences spellbound for over a decade, with mind-blowing performances in the overlooked “Annihilation” and terrifying presentations in last year’s “Civil War“, regardless of personal political views (or the absence thereof). However, it is generally agreed that his best work, “Ex Machina“, which was released a decade ago, remains unsurpassed.

Last year, Garland openly stated his intention to retreat from directing and concentrate on scriptwriting. However, at present, he’s giving us what might be a temporary farewell production. The latest offering is “Warfare,” a film he co-directed with Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza. The movie closely follows a real combat mission Mendoza undertook, making it another intense and gripping watch, both controlled and powerfully emotional. Despite its quality, “Ex Machina” remains Garland’s directorial magnum opus, a film that continues to be one of the finest British productions from the 2010s.

What Is Alex Garland’s ‘Ex Machina’ About?

2015’s film “Ex Machina” centers around software programmer Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson), who secures a competition win and spends a week at his boss, Nathan Bateman’s (Oscar Isaac in an outstanding performance), isolated island retreat. However, upon arrival, Caleb discovers that the actual purpose of his visit is not as straightforward as initially thought.

Nathan has recently constructed a humanoid robot named Ava (Alicia Vikander, in her breakout role and arguably her finest), who he’s equipped with artificial intelligence. Although Ava has just passed the Turing Test, Nathan asks Caleb to perform an extensive examination, hoping to determine if she possesses genuine self-awareness. On a more unsettling note, he’s also intrigued to discover whether Caleb can develop feelings for Ava, despite being aware that she is not real.

As Caleb interacts with Ava, he notices her growing discontent due to being confined by her creator, as he prevents her from exploring the outside world or enjoying any kind of joy. Over time, Caleb observes more and more self-centered behavior in Nathan, understanding that one of his assistants is actually a robot and worrying that Nathan might erase Ava’s consciousness once the tests are finished.

In essence, Ex Machina is less a conventional science-fiction tale about AI and human awareness on the surface, but rather unfolds as a tense, confined psychological thriller in reality. As the movie progresses, Garland skillfully cultivates an atmosphere of growing suspicion as Caleb uncovers Nathan’s devious intentions, starts questioning his own consciousness, and wonders about Ava’s trustworthiness, making viewers feel uneasy throughout.

‘Ex Machina’ Is Alex Garland’s Masterwork

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but notice how remarkably relevant Ex Machina has become over the past decade, given the growing influence of artificial intelligence in our modern world. What sets this movie apart is its subtle approach, avoiding heavy-handedness in conveying its message. Much like the poignant 2013 release Her, the setting feels only slightly futuristic, more akin to an evolution of our current reality. Unlike other films that portray AI as something to be feared or embraced, these two movies simply depict it as an integral part of our daily lives that we must learn to navigate.

As a film enthusiast, I’d like to highlight one aspect that sets Ex Machina apart from other films in the genre: Alex Garland intentionally steers clear of simplistic black-and-white portrayals of characters and their stories. Nathan, on the surface, appears as a villain due to his questionable intentions with Ava, yet he remains complex, serving as more than just a vessel for dark desires.

On the other hand, Caleb and Ava are not without moral ambiguity. Caleb’s intentions of helping Ava seem noble, but his growing infatuation with her raises questions about his motives. This infatuation, in turn, may unwittingly hinder Ava’s autonomy, making him somewhat complicit in the denial of her agency, though perhaps not to the same extent as Nathan.

During the course of the movie, there’s a possibility that Ava might be portrayed as a more sinister character, considering she manipulates both Caleb and Nathan to facilitate her escape. However, given her circumstances, it’s understandable that she doesn’t fully trust either of them. She understands that she must take whatever steps necessary for her personal growth, regardless of the impact on others. Alicia Vikander delivers an exceptional performance that leaves viewers uncertain by the film’s conclusion as to whether Ava is genuinely emotional or if her actions are merely a product of her programming.

In essence, Ex Machina stands out as a truly exceptional science fiction piece from the last ten years, growing increasingly pertinent with time. Alex Garland’s work on this film is nothing short of astonishing, breathing new life into traditional themes by infusing them with moral depth and a foreboding sense of suspicion. Although we’re saddened by his temporary departure from directing, we remain eternally thankful for bestowing upon us such a masterpiece. You can rent or buy Ex Machina on Prime Video and Apple TV.

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2025-04-15 05:02