An Excellent Video Essay on the Film "Ex Machina"

by Salman Hameed

If you are looking for a thoughtful discussion of the film, Ex Machina, then definitely check out this video essay, Questioning the Human Machine. It talks about the Turing Test, the structure of the story, and nature of  and questions of intimacy. However, the most fascinating part of the essay deals with the representations of fembots in the film and to ask the question if those are meant to be a critique of gender stereotypes in Hollywood (including fembots in films like Blade Runner), and if yes, then if the critique is successful. I really liked the film and I do think that a key scene towards the end of the movie makes the gender commentary quite clear. Nevertheless, as is the case with satire, such critiques can also end up reinforcing the stereotypes.

But no matter what, you should check out this video essay. It contains spoilers. So if you haven't seen the film, you should do that first. Here is Ex Machina: Questioning the Human Machine:

For an opposite position on this, check out this essay from Wired: Ex Maxhina Has a Serious Fembot Problem. 

In case you haven't seen the trailer: