Not your everyday Sci-Fi Blockbuster. Beautifully haunting!

Rating: 10/10 (18 May 2015)

"Ex Machina" was one of the few movies I've seen in the past years that left me stunned in the theater seat. I was literally amazed by it. But - this has to be said - you have to be open to this sort of movie. Don't expect thrilling action scenes or a happy ending - technically this film even lacked a proper introduction. It cuts to the core, which is its fantastic turn of events and development of the main characters.
You can't tell until the very end of the film who is villain and who is hero, who acts right and who acts wrong. At one moment you're absolutely sure you've got it all figured out, seemingly aware of what happens next and then it comes differently.
The music is amazing and fits the imagery to perfection. Very minimalistic, yet at times swelling up to distorted climaxes of noise that make you feel uncomfortable to say the least and almost like you as well are in severe danger right in there, alongside the protagonist.
Oh and as a person with an eye for aesthetics, the art direction in this movie was on the spot. From the beautiful Norwegian nature and landscapes to the modern furnishing and architecture of the interior scenes, shot in the Norwegian Juvet Hotel, everything added up to the beautiful, yet haunting set-up for the thrilling chain of events. In its best moments this really lives up to some Kubrick classics of the past.
Go see it - you won't regret it!