An intelligent sci-fi film that will get you thinking

Rating: 7/10 (22 May 2020)

I recently watched Ex Machina for the first time and spent most of the film thinking, 'I know that house!'. It's a hotel in Norway that I saw a programme on which sucked me out of the reality of the movie somewhat.
Anyway, regardless of that, I enjoyed Ex Machina. It's a hard film to describe and certainly won't be for everyone. It moves slowly, making you question each characters real motivations. It's a 'proper' sci-fi film, focusing mainly on AI and consciousness, but ultimately it's about power, control and manipulation. It seems a simple premise, but is far more intelligent movie than the tagline. While watching, you always feel like each character is playing one another and something far more sinister is going on under the surface.
The casting is spot on, Alicia Vikander is excellent as the humanoid android, but it's Oscar Isaacs beard that steals the show. The script is smart with real depth and the whole film is shot beautifully. The special effects are really amazing as well and easily hold up 6 years on. The major negative I have is around the ending. I won't give any spoilers, and while I liked the general 'twist', I thought the actual ending was fairly shoddy.
7.4/10 - A tense, slow burning thinker that should hook you in.