10 Sci-Fi Movies That Break The Genre
2. Ex-Machina
Ex-Machina is the stunning debut directorial effort from one of the greatest science fiction minds of our time, Alex Garland. Garland has been enhancing the science fiction genre for years behind the scenes with fantastic scripts for movies like Sunshine and Dredd, but Ex-Machina was a step up from even these fantastic films.
This is a brilliant piece of science fiction that relies on no frills, no epic space battles or wonderful space creatures. The movie follows Domhnall Gleeson's Caleb as he engages in an AI social experiment with eccentric, reclusive developer Nathan, stunningly portrayed by Oscar Isaac. The way the film unfurls and unwinds is unlike anything else in the genre. It is a stunning, small scale but high stakes story that relies on its brilliant actors and incredible writing.
Alicia Vikander deserves special mention as she is breath-taking in the film as Ava, a disconcertingly calm and calculated AI designed to convince Caleb of her humanity. The films premise sets it aside from so much sci-fi and the less than conventional narrative lends itself to one of the most truly unique and stunning watches the genre has ever produced.