A mixed result

Rating: 6/10 (11 November 2018)

A young computer programmer (Domhnall Gleeson) wins a contest at his company. The prize is to spend a week with the company's eccentric CEO (Oscar Isaac) in an isolated compound residence in a mountainous region. The main purpose of the visit is to experiment with an Artificial Intelligence robot (Alicia Vikander) to see if she has human characteristics.
The set design can remind viewers of an early James Bond classic, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969). Both films create an atmosphere that seems luxurious and seductive but also have many similarities to a prison.
The few performers do a fine job in this film especially Isaac. He has a special way of appearing to be fun and playful while also sending out a vibe that one should be very cautious of him.
The film works well in the first half but the continuous premise starts to drag somewhat in the second half. The surprising conclusion helps in adding more sizzle to the film but by that time, it already seems to have missed its full potential which is unfortunate.