Sci-fi thriller, Ex Machina follows the story of 26 year old computer programmer, Caleb and his encounter with the mysterious Ava, a cutting edge cyborg. After winning a competition to spend a week at a secluded mountain retreat, Caleb meets Nathan, the reclusive CEO of the world’s biggest Internet company.
Soon after, Caleb becomes part of a special experiment, testing the limits and nuances of the world’s first robotic artificial intelligence. Played by Alicia Vikander, doe-eyed Ava makes Caleb question the borderline between cold, calculated artificial intelligence and what it means to be human. Outfitted in a gunmetal, latex material costume covering most of her body, Ava’s striking looks appear human, but other translucent robotic parts prove otherwise.
In a surprisingly uncharacteristic move, Ava attempts to try on human clothing, playfully wearing a floral dress and purple cardigan while she and Caleb grow closer. Silent and alluring, female counterpart, Kyoko, dons a minimalist wardrobe of geometric shift dresses and white and black kimono-style tops with leather sashes. While the controversial ending seems to have left viewers stumped, feminists and intellectuals have flocked to discussion boards, full of reflections. Written and directed by Alex Garland, this intelligent blockbuster probes deep philosophical questions about man and machine, and ultimately, the meaning of life and death.
Written by Jade Nicolette
Interesting point about Kyoko’s minimalist geometric dresses and kimono-style tops, since her wardrobe feels deliberately restrained compared to Ava’s evolving sense of identity.
You touched on the controversial ending and the philosophical angle, which ties nicely into how the costumes themselves reflect the question of what it actually means to be human.
I liked how you highlighted Ava’s gunmetal latex contrasted with the translucent panels; that mix really sells the illusion of humanity while still keeping her unsettlingly mechanical.
The detail about Ava trying on the floral dress and purple cardigan stuck with me, since that scene really blurs the line between programmed behavior and genuine curiosity.