Rating: 3/5 stars

Three-Word Summary: Creepy robot test

Do you want to watch a borderline disturbing movie about outstandingly realistic artificial intelligence? Then you’ve come to the right place.

Ex Machina falls into the same genre as the classic Frankenstein, except in this case, the monster is unsettlingly attractive and the inventor is a drunk.

The plot revolves around a thinly-veiled allegory for Google and its visionary/lunatic founder. He lives on an isolated estate where he invites a young coder to visit for a week.

This pseudo-Steve Jobs has been secretly creating robots who are eerily lifelike. He asks the young employee to conduct a Turing test to determine whether or not he believes the A.I. named Ava to have sentience.

What follows is an interesting, sometimes uncomfortable struggle to find the meaning of right and wrong in this brave new world. Between his alcoholic CEO and the manipulative Ava, our protagonist isn’t quite sure who he should trust. The correct answer is: no one.

Contrary to most futuristic films, Ex Machina relies more on character development and dialogue than special effects. What special effects they use are simple and effective.

Honestly, the story is interesting and the acting is decent. It’s just difficult to get over just how bizarre the entire situation is; which may very well be the point.