Ex Machina

  • 2015
  • R
  • 108m
movieMx RATING
7.6/1014K
VERDICT
SUPER HIT
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Performance & Direction: Ex Machina Review

Last updated: February 15, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 15, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Ex Machina (2015) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Ex Machina features a noteworthy lineup led by Domhnall Gleeson . Supported by the likes of Alicia Vikander and Oscar Isaac , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Ex Machina (2015) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.6/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Result: SUPER HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Ex Machina stands as a SUPER HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: Ex Machina

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2015, Ex Machina is a Drama, Science Fiction film directed by Alex Garland. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Domhnall Gleeson.

Story Breakdown

This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Caleb, a coder at the world's largest internet company, wins a competition to spend a week at a private mountain retreat belonging to Nathan, the reclusive CEO of the company. But when Caleb arrives at the remote location he finds that he will have to participate in a strange and fascinating experiment in which he must interact with the world's first true artificial intelligence, housed in the body of a beautiful robot girl. The screenplay takes time to develop Domhnall Gleeson's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
  • Character Arc: The protagonist, portrayed by Domhnall Gleeson, undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
  • Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.

Thematic Depth

The film delves into universal human experiences including love, loss, identity, and belonging. It holds up a mirror to society, asking difficult questions about morality, choice, and consequence.

What Works & What Doesn't

✅ Strengths

  • Exceptional storytelling that balances entertainment with substance
  • Strong performances, especially from Domhnall Gleeson, that bring depth to the characters
  • Technical excellence in cinematography, editing, and sound design

⚠️ Weaknesses

  • Minor pacing issues that do not significantly detract from the experience
  • A few underdeveloped subplots

Ending Explained: Ex Machina

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Alex Garland, Ex Machina resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Domhnall Gleeson, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes in a way that feels organic to the story.

The final moments of Ex Machina demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch Ex Machina?

Highly Recommended For:

  • Fans of Drama cinema looking for quality storytelling
  • Viewers who appreciate emotionally resonant character studies and meaningful themes
  • Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises

Box Office Collection: Ex Machina

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $15.0M
Worldwide Gross $36.9M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

Ex Machina Budget

The estimated production budget for Ex Machina is $15.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: Ex Machina

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Where to Watch Ex Machina Online?

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Ex Machina Parents Guide & Age Rating

2015 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Ex Machina age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Ex Machina is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Ex Machina is 108 minutes (1h 48m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.6/10, and global performance metrics, Ex Machina is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2015 cinematic calendar.

SUPER HIT
Official movieMx status for Ex Machina. Rating: 7.6/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ex Machina worth watching?

Ex Machina is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.6/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Ex Machina parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Ex Machina identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Ex Machina?

The total duration of Ex Machina is 108 minutes, which is approximately 1h 48m long.

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Critic Reviews for Ex Machina

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 7.6
Ex Machina
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