There are some movies that creep under your skin in the most subtle way possible, and for days after you can’t help but stay up late just to think about it. “Ex Machina” is one of those rare sci-fi thrillers that completely took over my thoughts the first time I watched it. Now that it’s streaming on Prime Video, you can finally experience it too. If you've seen it already, then it's worth watching again.
“Ex Machina” is an intimate, thought-provoking exploration of artificial intelligence and what it means to be human. It’s a movie that makes you a little uncomfortable, not because of flashy action scenes or jump scares, but because of how disturbingly plausible its near-future world feels. Its atmosphere is incredibly tense and eerie, driven by its minimalist setting and slow-burn psychological suspense.
This isn't a movie about robots shooting lasers or aliens invading Earth with highly advanced technology. No, it’s about people (well, one of them is AI) in a secluded, high-tech house, playing psychological chess.
So, if you’re in the mood for a thriller that will leave you with more questions than answers, “Ex Machina” is a must-watch this month. Now that it’s on one of the best streaming services, you have no excuse not to experience it, and here’s why…
‘Ex Machina’ will have you questioning everything
“Ex Machina” follows Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), a young programmer who wins a competition to spend a week at the remote estate of Nathan (Oscar Isaac), the reclusive CEO of the tech company he works for. Once there, Caleb learns that his task is to administer a turing test on Ava (Alicia Vikander), an advanced AI created by Nathan, to determine if she possesses true consciousness and can pass as a human.
As Caleb interacts with Ava, who is confined to a glass-walled room, he becomes increasingly drawn to her, questioning her autonomy and whether she’s more than just a machine. At the same time, tensions arise between Caleb and Nathan, who displays manipulative and god-like control over both his AI creations and Caleb himself.
At the heart of “Ex Machina” is, of course, artificial intelligence (and what it truly means to be human). Caleb’s conversations with Ava are a fascinating part of the story, as he tries to determine whether her feelings and thoughts are genuine or merely the result of her programming. It’s hard to know whether he can really distinguish a human from a machine. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that we, too, are being drawn into this test.
There’s also another character who adds so much emotional depth to the narrative. Kyoko (Sonoya Mizuno) is introduced as Nathan’s silent, submissive housemaid. Nathan treats her as an object for servile tasks and sexual gratification, showing the disturbing power imbalance between creator and creation. Though she is mostly a silent observer, her performance really stands out alongside Vikander.
Speaking of Vikander, her performance is absolutely mesmerizing as she shifts between innocence, curiosity and a much darker undercurrent that puts you on edge every time her robotic appearance shows on the screen. Isaac has a subtle charm that conceals an unsettling sense of control. Meanwhile, Gleeson grounds the overall movie as the protagonist. He knows how to be both curious and vulnerable, especially when he grows closer to the beautiful humanoid robot.
However, despite this being an incredible movie, be warned that the first act is a slow burn, but it’s totally worth it once the tension really settles in. During the first half you’ll see the small cast of characters conspire with and against one another within the confines of Nathan’s remote techno-bunker. The isolation is enough to make you nervous, and that feeling only grows when every conversation, glance and gesture between the characters feels weighted with potential danger.
This sci-fi thriller didn't just win me over when it was released in 2014. “Ex Machina” has an impressive critic score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes (with an 86% audience rating). Emily St. James from Vox said: “It's just a story of four characters in a secluded location, shot on an obviously small budget. But deep inside of it is a fully imagined idea of where humanity is headed - and what evils we're capable of.”
Meanwhile, Flavorwire's Jason Bailey stated it's “a crackling good entertainment, a brainy science fiction picture executed in a clean, concise style, with a narrative as logical as it is unpredictable.”
You need to stream ‘Ex Machina’ on Prime Video now
If you’re a fan of really tense thrillers with a very unsettling plot, “Ex Machina” is a must-watch this month, and now is the perfect time to check it out on Prime Video. With its intriguing exploration of AI and human nature, this movie offers one of the most gripping experiences in modern sci-fi. Not to mention the performances are incredible.
Trust me, this is a movie worth watching, as it challenges your perception of what makes someone (or something) truly human. Whether it’s your first watch or a rewatch, “Ex Machina” never fails to impress, even if you end up seeing it more than once (I would recommend seeing it again).
Need more? Check out this new to Netflix movie that's perfect for Halloween. You can also see our guide on the best Prime Video movies you probably haven't watched.
Stream "Ex Machina" on Prime Video right now.
More from Tom's Guide
