Alex Garland debunked a popular theory about his critically acclaimed filmEx Machina. The 2014 science fiction thriller follows Caleb, a programmer who wins a contest to spend a week at the private estate of Nathan Bateman, his company’s CEO. When he arrives, Caleb learns that he has been chosen to take part in a Turing test with Ava, a robot that Nathan created. Upon its release, reviews forEx Machinawere fantastic, withScreenRantgiving the film an impressive score of 9 out of 10.
In a video forGQ,Garland responds to a Reddit theory that claims that Caleb is actually an androidinEx Machina, and that the whole movie is a Turing test for the audience. While the filmmaker thinks the theory is interesting, he claims that it is not true. However, Garland assumes that “smart” audience members would question whether Caleb is an AI in the film, which is why he included hints that things may not be as they seem. Read his comments and watch the full video below:
I made an assumption that a smart audience member at a certain point would say, “I know what’s going on here. Domhall Gleeson, you know, Caleb, yeah, he’s the AI. That’s really what’s happening.” That’s why there’s a scene where he cuts himself open, because he then starts to ask himself that question. But he’s not an AI, he’s a person.
What Garland’s Response To This Theory Means For Ex Machina
Caleb Is A Human In Ex Machina
In a Turing test, if a human is unable to confidently identify an AI from a human, then the machine passes. Therefore, this theory, which states that Garland is presenting a Turing test to audience members through Caleb inEx Machina, is very intriguing. Since the release of the film,viewers have been debating whether Caleb is an AI or a human. Even though Garland confirms that Caleb is a human inEx Machina, he admitted that he wanted audience members to have debates like this.
Unlike Caleb, Ava is actually a robot inEx Machina. Ava proves to be much smarter than both Caleb and Nathan in the sci-fi film. At theend ofEx Machina, Ava manages to kill Nathan and locks Caleb in the research facility. Garland’s film is such an amazing sci-fi movie becauseviewers root for Ava by the end of it. Caleb’s fate inEx Machinais not revealed, and he is last seen trying (and failing) to escape the research facility. However, Ava successfully manages to escape her imprisonment and enters the real world.
Our Take On Garland’s Response To This Ex Machina Theory
Garland Knew Viewers Would Think That Caleb Is An Android
Even though this intriguing theory isn’t true,Ex Machinais still one ofGarland’s best movies. It’s interesting to learn that he predicted that viewers would want to believe this theory while watching the movie. Because of this forethought,Garland included hints in the film that lead viewers to believe Caleb may indeed be an android. Due to its thought-provoking nature,Ex Machina, is one of the best sci-fi movies of the century.
Ex Machina
Cast
Young computer programmer Caleb is selected to participate in a groundbreaking experiment by evaluating the human qualities in a new and improved female artificial intelligence. But in the luxurious, isolated mansion of the man who created this technology, all may not be as it seems.
