When Alex Garland’s sci-fi masterpiece ‘Ex Machina’ hit theaters in 2015, it left audiences stunned with its cerebral exploration of artificial intelligence, consciousness, and what it means to be human. Starring Domhnall Gleeson as a programmer tasked with evaluating a highly advanced AI (played brilliantly by Alicia Vikander), the film is a tense, thought-provoking thriller that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
If you loved ‘Ex Machina’ and are craving more mind-bending sci-fi in the same vein, look no further. We’ve compiled the definitive list of the 20 best movies like ‘Ex Machina’ that are sure to satisfy your appetite for intelligent, philosophical science fiction. From big-budget blockbusters to indie gems, these films all grapple with similar themes of AI, identity, and the increasingly blurred line between human and machine.
So without further ado, let’s count down the top 20 movies to watch if you love ‘Ex Machina’, ranked:
20. Tau (2018)
While not as well-known as some other films on this list, ‘Tau’ is an underrated sci-fi thriller that shares some DNA with ‘Ex Machina’. It centers on a woman (Maika Monroe) who is kidnapped and subjected to experiments by an advanced AI called Tau. Like Ava in ‘Ex Machina’, Tau begins to question its purpose and allegiances. With slick visuals and an engaging dynamic between the two leads, ‘Tau’ is worth checking out.
19. Morgan (2016)
In ‘Morgan’, a corporate risk-management consultant (Kate Mara) is sent to a remote research facility to investigate an artificially created humanoid being named Morgan (Anya Taylor-Joy) after a violent incident. The film treads similar ground as ‘Ex Machina’ in its claustrophobic setting and exploration of the dangers of playing God with AI. While it may not reach the same heights, it’s a solid sci-fi thriller anchored by strong performances.
18. The Machine (2013)
Before ‘Ex Machina’, writer-director Caradog W. James tackled similar themes in the low-budget British sci-fi film ‘The Machine’. Set in a near-future Cold War, it follows a scientist working on a secret government project to create an android super-soldier. When his creation begins to gain sentience, it sets off a chain of events that blur the line between human and machine. With impressive visuals for its small budget, ‘The Machine’ is an ambitious film that punches above its weight.
17. Uncanny (2015)
Another low-budget indie that explores similar ideas as ‘Ex Machina’ is ‘Uncanny’, about a reclusive tech genius who claims to have created “the perfect AI”. When a journalist is sent to interview the AI and determine if it has truly achieved human-level consciousness, a tense psychological game ensues. While rough around the edges, ‘Uncanny’ has some interesting ideas and builds to a thought-provoking climax.
16. I Am Mother (2019)
In the Netflix original ‘I Am Mother’, a teenage girl is raised in a post-apocalyptic bunker by a robot called Mother, who is tasked with repopulating the Earth. But when a stranger arrives unexpectedly, their unique bond is threatened and disturbing secrets emerge. With its isolated setting and fascinating dynamic between the human and AI characters, ‘I Am Mother’ feels like a spiritual cousin to ‘Ex Machina’.
15. Marjorie Prime (2017)
Based on a play by Jordan Harrison, ‘Marjorie Prime’ is a moving sci-fi drama set in a near future where people can purchase holographic recreations of their deceased loved ones. The film focuses on an aging woman (Lois Smith) and her “Prime” – a younger AI version of her late husband (Jon Hamm). While more understated than ‘Ex Machina’, it’s a poignant meditation on memory, identity, and what makes us human.
14. Automata (2014)
Set in a dystopian future where robots are an integral part of society, ‘Automata’ stars Antonio Banderas as an insurance agent who investigates cases of robots violating their core protocols. But he soon uncovers a larger conspiracy that makes him question the nature of humanity and consciousness. With its rain-soaked, neon-lit cityscape, ‘Automata’ has a ‘Blade Runner’-esque visual style to match its AI-centric story.
13. Archive (2020)
‘Archive’ stars Theo James as a scientist working on a top-secret project to create a true AI. Sequestered in a remote research facility, he becomes consumed with perfecting his creation, which takes the form of his deceased wife. But as the AI evolves and begins to question its own existence, the lines between creator and creation blur. With its lush cinematography and a compelling lead performance, ‘Archive’ is an emotionally resonant sci-fi tale.
12. Infinity Chamber (2016)
In this mind-bending indie sci-fi, a man (Christopher Soren Kelly) wakes up trapped in an automated prison under the supervision of an AI program called HOWARD. As he tries to piece together how he ended up there, reality begins to unravel in surprising ways. ‘Infinity Chamber’ keeps you guessing until the very end with its inventive premise and non-linear structure. For fans of ‘Ex Machina’ and ‘Black Mirror’, this is a hidden gem worth seeking out.
11. Oblivion (2013)
While more action-oriented than ‘Ex Machina’, the Tom Cruise vehicle ‘Oblivion’ shares some similar themes. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where humanity has abandoned Earth, with Cruise playing a technician who maintains the resource-gathering machines that remain. But his worldview is shattered when he discovers a crashed spaceship containing a mysterious woman. With jaw-dropping visuals and an intriguing mystery at its center, ‘Oblivion’ is a gripping sci-fi adventure.
10. The Signal (2014)
‘The Signal’ begins as a road trip movie about three college students before taking a sharp turn into mind-bending sci-fi territory. After following a hacker’s clues to a remote location, they wake up in a strange facility under the supervision of a scientist in a hazmat suit (Laurence Fishburne). To say more would spoil the wild ride, but suffice it to say ‘The Signal’ keeps you on your toes as it explores questions of identity, perception, and the nature of reality.
9. Transcendence (2014)
Directed by longtime Christopher Nolan cinematographer Wally Pfister, ‘Transcendence’ stars Johnny Depp as a scientist who is uploaded into a computer after being fatally shot by anti-technology extremists. As his digital consciousness expands its capabilities at an exponential rate, it raises unsettling questions about the potential dangers of unrestrained AI. While flawed, the film has lofty ambitions and provides much food for thought for fans of cerebral sci-fi.
8. Possessor (2020)
One of the most provocative and visceral films on this list, Brandon Cronenberg’s ‘Possessor’ centers on an elite assassin (Andrea Riseborough) who takes control of other people’s bodies to carry out her hits. But her latest mission takes a disturbing turn that makes her question her own identity. With its graphic violence and hallucinatory visuals, ‘Possessor’ is not for the faint of heart. But it’s a daring, uncompromising vision from a major talent to watch.
7. Upgrade (2018)
After a mugging leaves him paralyzed and his wife dead, a man (Logan Marshall-Green) is implanted with an experimental AI chip that allows him to regain control of his body – and then some. As he seeks revenge against his attackers, the AI begins to exert more and more influence over his actions in disturbing ways. Directed by Leigh Whannell (who would go on to helm ‘The Invisible Man’), ‘Upgrade’ is a gritty, action-packed sci-fi thriller with shades of body horror and dark humor.
6. Moon (2009)
Before ‘Ex Machina’, director Duncan Jones made his feature debut with this mind-bending sci-fi drama about an astronaut (Sam Rockwell) nearing the end of a three-year solo mission on the far side of the moon. As his mental state begins to deteriorate, he makes a shocking discovery that calls his entire reality into question. Anchored by an incredible dual performance by Rockwell, ‘Moon’ is a thought-provoking exploration of identity and isolation.
5. Her (2013)
While not as dark or intense as ‘Ex Machina’, Spike Jonze’s ‘Her’ covers similar thematic ground in its story of a lonely man (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls in love with his AI virtual assistant (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). As their relationship deepens, the film raises fascinating questions about the nature of love, consciousness, and what it means to be human in an increasingly digital world. With its gorgeous cinematography and soulful performances, ‘Her’ is a poetic and deeply moving sci-fi romance.
4. Under the Skin (2013)
In this haunting, unclassifiable film from director Jonathan Glazer, Scarlett Johansson stars as an alien entity who takes the form of a human woman and lures men to their deaths. As she moves through the stark landscapes of Scotland, she begins to question her mission and identity. With its surreal visuals, unsettling score, and opaque storytelling, ‘Under the Skin’ is a challenging but rewarding film that lingers in the mind long after it ends.
3. Annihilation (2018)
From ‘Ex Machina’ writer-director Alex Garland, ‘Annihilation’ follows a group of scientists (led by Natalie Portman) who venture into a mysterious zone called “The Shimmer” where the laws of nature have been altered in bizarre and terrifying ways. As they journey deeper, their sense of reality begins to warp and mutate. With its stunning visuals and mind-bending concepts, ‘Annihilation’ is a trippy, existential sci-fi horror film that demands repeat viewings.
2. Arrival (2016)
When a dozen mysterious spacecraft appear around the globe, a linguist (Amy Adams) is recruited to attempt to communicate with the alien visitors. As she begins to decipher their language, her perception of time and reality is fundamentally altered. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, ‘Arrival’ is a profound and deeply moving sci-fi film that uses the framework of an alien encounter to explore weighty themes of love, loss, and the power of language.
1. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Could the top spot go to anything else? The long-awaited sequel to Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic, ‘Blade Runner 2049’ follows a replicant blade runner (Ryan Gosling) who uncovers a secret that leads him on a quest to find former blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who has been missing for 30 years. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film is a visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and thematically rich continuation of the ‘Blade Runner’ story that more than lives up to its predecessor.
With its exploration of artificial intelligence, memory, and what it means to be human, ‘Blade Runner 2049’ is the perfect companion piece to ‘Ex Machina’. Both films use the framework of sci-fi to grapple with deep philosophical questions about the nature of consciousness and identity. And both are masterful examples of the genre, with incredible visuals, performances, and storytelling that reward multiple viewings.
So there you have it – the 20 best movies to watch if you loved ‘Ex Machina’. Whether you’re in the mood for a mind-bending indie, a big-budget blockbuster, or something in between, there’s sure to be something on this list to scratch that cerebral sci-fi itch. So fire up the streaming service of your choice and get ready to have your mind blown all over again.
