Ex Machina

Ex Machina

Cyborg Ava (Alicia Vikander) is programmed to beat the Turing test, a method of distinguishing artificial intelligence from human intelligence. Director Alex Garland, working with the art department and special and visual effects teams, presents Ava as nearly human in her movements and expressions, even though her circuitry is exposed. A chilling exploration of female agency and the concepts of consciousness, purpose, and destiny, Ex Machina emerges as a story deeply concerned with power vis-à-vis humanity and its creations. The machines may be winning, but who created the machines? Ava’s deceivingly realistic silicone face and chrome skull can be found in the museum’s Cyberpunk exhibition.

DIRECTED/WRITTEN BY: Alex Garland. WITH: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Sonoya Mizuno, Oscar Isaac. 2014. 108 min. UK/USA. Color. Scope. English. Rated R. DCP.

Academy Museum film programming generously funded by the Richard Roth Foundation. 

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