Ex Machina is a brilliant film that is currently in limited theatrical release. If you haven’t seen it, you should definitely seek it out if it’s playing in a theater near you. Now that that’s out of the way, I have to tell you that it is very similar to a 2014 British science-fiction film called The Machine, starring Caity Lotz (Arrow, The Pact) and Toby Stephens (Black Sails). It’s currently on Netflix if you would like to watch it, but trust me when I say it is just as good as Ex Machina. It just never got the same recognition.
The Machine follows the British Ministry of Defence as it begins producing brain implants that allow brain damaged soldiers to regain lost functions. Lead scientist Vincent McCarthy (Stephens) brings Ava (Lotz) to his team in order to develop a fully conscious and self-aware android. After the program director has Ava killed for being a little too curious, McCarthy maps her brain and develops an android in her image. From there, the film follows McCarthy as he uses Ava as his main test subject for the program.
There are plenty of similarities between Ex Machina and The Machine (for starters, both female androids are named Ava), but The Machine has a larger scale compared to Ex Machina, at least in terms of budget and set design. While I enjoy both films, I think I have to give a slight edge to The Machine, as I believe it to be the more engrossing of the two.
Lotz should be familiar to most of you, but if she’s not then put her on your radar right away. She’s been fantastic in everything I’ve seen her in, and she gets double duty here playing both the human Ava and the titular Machine. Unsurprisingly, she is convincing as both. McCarthy also does a fine job playing the hero/tortured soul.
The film’s buildup is better than it’s payoff, as it does become more of an action thriller in its final act, but I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing. The beginning of the film is more contemplative and focuses on character building, which makes the climax even more cathartic. Also, the ending may not give you all the answers, but it’s a thing of beauty.
Basically, if you’ve seen and enjoyed Ex Machina, log into Netflix and give The Machine a try. I guarantee you’ll enjoy it!