11 Years Before Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein, Oscar Isaac Starred In A 92% RT Retelling

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Before earning critical acclaim for his role as Victor Frankenstein, Oscar Isaac actually played a similar character in Ex Machina. He’s known for portraying troubled and mysterious figures – think Kane from Annihilation – so it’s no surprise he excels at playing an ambitious scientist haunted by what he’s created.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often considered the first science fiction story, and it has been the basis for countless films, including the more recent Ex Machina. Ex Machina centers on Caleb, a computer programmer who visits the secluded home of his employer, Nathan, to meet Ava, an artificial intelligence robot Nathan has created. The film anticipated many of the themes we now associate with the rise of AI, and Alicia Vikander’s performance as Ava is particularly noteworthy.

Oscar Isaac Played Nathan In Ex Machina

Oscar Isaac’s performance as Nathan is among his most challenging and unsettling. Nathan starts as a reclusive, brilliant billionaire, but quickly becomes unpredictable, swinging between charisma and explosive anger. It would be easy for an actor to overplay this kind of character, making him seem fake, but Isaac delivers a truly menacing and believable portrayal.

Even the well-known dancing scene in Ex Machina adds to the film’s tension, as Nathan’s unpredictable behavior is established early on. Some of the movie’s most compelling scenes happen when Nathan is calm, precisely because we sense he could become volatile at any moment. Though the story focuses on Caleb and Ava, Nathan is a looming threat throughout, and his influence is felt even when he’s not visible.

Nathan Is A Futuristic Version Of Victor Frankenstein

Victor Frankenstein’s downfall comes from his overwhelming desire for recognition. He aims to become famous by creating life, but reacts with anger and fear when his creation doesn’t meet his standards. Unable to control what he’s made, he tries to destroy it. This echoes the story of Nathan, who similarly creates Ava and Kyoko, but then mistreats them and becomes fixated on controlling their every move.

Both Victor and Nathan fail to connect with what they’ve created – Victor leaves his Creature to fend for itself, and Nathan sees Ava as an object instead of a person. Interestingly, both stories suggest the artificial beings possess more humanity than their creators. Nathan’s story can be seen as a modern retelling of the classic Frankenstein tale, updated for a futuristic setting.

Ex Machina Is A Must-Watch Sci-Fi Horror

With a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Ex Machina stands out as a horror film that builds tension and uses unsettling visuals instead of relying on sudden shocks. It’s also considered one of the most compelling modern takes on the Frankenstein story – familiar yet original enough to be truly effective.

While both films share dark themes, Ex Machina delivers a truly unsettling horror experience that stays with you, unlike the tragic but conclusive ending of Frankenstein. Director Alex Garland intentionally crafted an ambiguous ending, encouraging viewers to debate the film’s meaning – and even debunked some interpretations himself! This open-endedness makes Ex Machina a standout choice for those who enjoy thought-provoking psychological horror.

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2026-02-02 00:34