Ex Machina (2014) impressed critics and audiences alike with its bold ideas and all-too-realistic depiction of the unexpected consequences of constructing a sentient being. In his feature directorial debut, Alex Garland uses efficient storytelling, a compelling narrative, and heady concepts to create a modern science fiction masterpiece that explores gender, scientific advancement, and the very concept of humanity, all in a compelling, suspenseful film. Artificial intelligence has long been a sci-fi staple, but here, Garland posits what would happen if, for once, humans, rather than AI, were the real villains. In exploring Ex Machina's ideas about consciousness, embodiment, and masculinity, all through the lens of a misogynist mad scientist, Joshua Grimm argues the result is a fascinating, truly unique film that immediately established Garland as a breakout voice in the landscape of science fiction film.

About the Author
Joshua Grimm is an associate professor at the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University. His research focuses on media portrayals of race, gender and sexuality, themes he explored in his volume on the film It Follows, published in Auteur's Devil's Advocates series in 2018.


Book Information
ISBN 9781916084209
Author Joshua Grimm
Format Paperback
Page Count 110
Imprint Auteur Publishing
Publisher Liverpool University Press