Comment on Review: A visionary sci-fi thriller is born in 'Ex Machina'

From "Metropolis" to "Blade Runner," the juxtaposition of humans next to their artificial form has provided endless hours of stories that can be as exhilarating as they are poignant. [...] yet, without necessarily expanding on this well-trod territory or innovating contemporary science-fiction, by going deep on a simple construct, "Ex Machina" establishes itself as a unique and deeply unsettling psychological thriller that's both necessary and unforgettable. Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), the sharp programmer whose life is upended to spend a few days in a remote location with his company's billionaire CEO and brilliant recluse, Nathan (Oscar Isaac); and Nathan's creation, Ava (Alicia Vikander). Garland builds a subtle tension by making everything slightly off, from the concrete, bunker-like bedrooms, to the occasional power-outages and the militaristic security methods. Isaac, who is quickly proving himself to be one of the greats of his generation, plays Nathan as a celebrity of sorts — the kind who is always requesting that the other person just be more "real," which usually has the opposite effect. Ex Machina," an A24 release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for "for graphic nudity, language, sexual references and some violence.