11 Years Later, This Sci-Fi Masterpiece Keeps Getting Better (& It’s Easy To Stream)

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Alex Garland has worked across many different types of films throughout his career. He’s a key writer behind the popular 28 Days Later series, having penned three of the films. He also contributed to Dredd, a comic book movie that, despite initially performing poorly in theaters, has since gained a dedicated following. Garland has become a notable figure in science fiction, first with the overlooked film Sunshine, and then with his directorial debut, the acclaimed Ex Machina, which truly launched his career to new levels.

Since its release in 2015, Ex Machina has become known as one of the best science fiction films of recent years. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews upon release (with a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and continues to be highly regarded. It’s amazing to think it’s been over a decade since the film first came out – a true sign of its quality and lasting impact. Now that Ex Machina is streaming on HBO Max, it’s the perfect time to watch or re-watch and appreciate what makes it so exceptional.

Ex Machina Is an Even Better Sci-Fi Masterpiece Now

If you haven’t seen it, Ex Machina is about Caleb, a programmer who wins a contest to visit the reclusive CEO of his company, Nathan. Caleb is tasked with evaluating Ava, a remarkably lifelike artificial intelligence, to determine how human she seems. Given how much technology has advanced in the last decade – and how common AI has become in our everyday lives – the film feels surprisingly relevant and even predictive, particularly with the rise of AI companions and chatbots.

Alex Garland has directed several critically acclaimed films since his debut, Ex Machina, including Annihilation, Civil War, and Warfare. However, many believe his first film remains his best. Ex Machina tells a concise and captivating story, prompting viewers to think deeply about complex ideas. Garland was nominated for an Academy Award for the film’s original screenplay, and it’s clear why—the movie is cleverly written and consistently suspenseful. Remarkably, Ex Machina achieved a lot with a relatively small budget of $15 million, proving that impactful science fiction doesn’t require massive funding. In fact, the film won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects, demonstrating a commitment to skilled filmmaking. Ex Machina excels technically and creatively, offering a valuable lesson for studios about the power of craftsmanship.

Alex Garland’s talent for choosing actors really shines through in Ex Machina. The three leads are all fantastic, and audiences were already excited to see Gleeson and Isaac after their roles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Both actors deliver compelling performances as very different characters, demonstrating their impressive range. Gleeson perfectly portrays a socially awkward programmer who becomes deeply passionate about his work, while Isaac is brilliant as a confident, self-absorbed genius – and he can dance! They are central to the film’s success, creating a captivating and engaging relationship that viewers will find memorable. Their interactions are consistently compelling to watch.

Any discussion of Ex Machina needs to acknowledge Alicia Vikander’s phenomenal performance. Though she won an Oscar for The Danish Girl the same year, many consider her portrayal of Ava in Ex Machina to be her strongest work of 2015. Vikander instantly cemented Ava as a memorable sci-fi character – a robot grappling with the complexities of humanity. While the idea of a robot learning to be human isn’t new, Ava is such a nuanced and compelling character that she consistently captivates audiences. Vikander perfectly embodied the role, creating a fully realized character who serves as a warning about the potential consequences of unchecked scientific ambition. Looking at the film today, its message feels particularly relevant and deserves to be heeded.

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2026-01-25 00:42