Ex Machina is a very slick science fiction thriller shot in Norway. A young programmer is hired under mysterious circumstances by the owner and CEO of a large Techno Firm to test the AI (artificial intelligence) of a beautiful fem-bot he has created. If this story sounds familiar it is because it is the latest iteration of a literary trope starting with Frankenstein. Only this is one of the better varieties and makes you think about the problems of creationism, robots, artificial intelligence, and the dangers and  pitfalls associated with falling in love with a lifelike beautiful robot.

The film starts slow then builds  in suspense and pays off in the final denouement which makes it worth the wait. Intelligently written with many turns and twists which will keep the viewers rapt attention. Beautifully photographed in the Norwegian Wood featuring a gorgeous subterranean abode and laboratory  which makes exciting use of its natural surrounding with breathtaking waterfalls, rock formations, and spectacular vistas of mountain tops and streams.

Domhnall Gleeson plays the nebbish computer programmer who is whisked to the hidden fortress of the mad scientist by Deus ex machina (helicopter). Oscar Isaac  plays the CEO and owner of the techno company where Caleb works. He is also the creator of Ava, the beautiful robot that Caleb is intended to test. Ava is played with remarkable conviction by Alicia Vikander. The movie is written and directed by Alex Garland.

This is the best movie I have seen this year and has reawakened my interest in robots and science fiction. The best example of of which Isaac Asimov’s,  “I Robot” and Philip K. Dick’s, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” which was made into the science fiction movie classic, “Blade Runner.” I give this movie a rating of 8 out of 10. Highly recommend.