EX MACHINA Bombshell: Director Exposes HUGE Fan Theory Lie

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Alex Garland made a significant mark on the sci-fi genre with “Ex Machina” from 2014, even though he might have initially gained attention as a director through “Annihilation”. Featuring Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, and Sonoya Mizuno, this film presents the story of Caleb, a young programmer who is tasked with testing an advanced android named Ava at his boss’s secluded villa. The movie is both thought-provoking and intellectually challenging, inspiring many viewers to develop their own interpretations online. However, one widely-held theory among fans has recently been debunked by the director himself.

In a conversation with GQ, Alex Garland reflected on his previous films, including “Ex Machina”, while discussing his latest project, “Warfare“. During the discussion about “Ex Machina”, the director elaborated on the film’s concept and his approach to casting. The topic led to a fan theory being brought up, which suggested that Caleb, played by Domhnall Gleeson, might be an android, and the entire movie could be a simulation designed to test the audience’s perception. However, Garland swiftly dismissed this intriguing theory, stating that it was not supported by the film’s narrative.

“No, no, there isn’t.”

In the movie, Alex Garland may not find the theory plausible, but he’s pleased that viewers believed it, as that was one of his goals when crafting the screenplay. He mentioned that while making the film, he had several other movies in mind, such as 2001 and Blade Runner, which touch upon AI themes. Garland hinted that a discerning audience member would realize, “Ah, Domhnall Gleeson’s character, Caleb, is actually an AI.

Alex Garland Disproved the Fan Theory Within ‘Ex Machina’

Regarding fan theories, this one is intriguing, and it shows Garland’s skill as a screenwriter that he anticipated such speculation while writing the movie. However, disappointingly for fans, this theory doesn’t hold water because Garland deliberately included a scene to debunk this very idea among viewers. As he put it himself:

Consequently, the story includes a moment where he self-inflicts a wound, as this triggers him to ponder a certain question. Yet, it is important to note that he is not an artificial intelligence, but rather a human being.

In 2014, the movie “Ex Machina” was warmly received in theaters, garnering praise from both fans and critics. It currently boasts an impressive 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a nearly identical audience score of 86%. A24 Studios, which would later become renowned for hits like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and Garland’s own “Civil War”, saw early success with this film. Garland has now joined forces with A24 once more for the upcoming project “Warfare,” which he co-wrote and co-directed alongside Ray Mendoza, a former Navy SEAL who served as inspiration for the movie.

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2025-04-20 21:06