Ex Machina (2015)
Kernel Score: 85% · 14,069 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, Science Fiction
Released: 2015-01-21
Runtime: 108 minutes
Is Ex Machina worth watching?
Must-watch. A coder spends a week with a reclusive genius and an artificial woman he built. It's a small, tense, three-person chamber piece that keeps you guessing about who's testing whom.
Watch it if you
- like tense, smart sci-fi thrillers
- enjoy small-cast stories
- want ideas about artificial intelligence
Skip it if you
- want action
- dislike slow-burn pacing
Best for: Solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Ex Machina
- Stream: Hulu
- Free with ads: The Roku Channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
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.
Ex Machina parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Ex Machina is an R-rated sci-fi drama with nudity, manipulation, and psychological tension involving an android.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Contains moments of psychological tension and some violent confrontation toward the film's climax.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Strong — Includes nudity and sexually charged scenes involving a female android character, per its R rating and reviewer notes describing it as 'kinda smutty.'
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Ex Machina
If you liked Ex Machina, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Her (2013) — 94%: A more tender story about love and AI
- Blade Runner (1982) — 94%: Classic about artificial beings and personhood
- Blade Runner 2049 (2017) — 85%: Slow, moody sci-fi about what's real
- A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) — 79%: Spielberg's story of a machine that wants to be loved
- Upgrade (2018) — 86%: Dark near-future thriller with smart technology
- Ghost in the Shell (1995) — 92%: Anime classic about minds and machines
Director
Cast
- Domhnall Gleeson as Caleb
- Alicia Vikander as Ava
- Oscar Isaac as Nathan
- Sonoya Mizuno as Kyoko
- Corey Johnson as Jay
- Claire Selby as Lily
- Symara A. Templeman as Jasmine
- Gana Bayarsaikhan as Jade
- Tiffany Pisani as Katya
- Elina Alminas as Amber
Ex Machina FAQ
Is Ex Machina worth watching?
Must-watch. A coder spends a week with a reclusive genius and an artificial woman he built. It's a small, tense, three-person chamber piece that keeps you guessing about who's testing whom.
Where can I watch Ex Machina?
In the US you can stream Ex Machina on Hulu, watch it free with ads on The Roku Channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Ex Machina OK for kids?
Ex Machina is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Ex Machina is an R-rated sci-fi drama with nudity, manipulation, and psychological tension involving an android.
What movies are like Ex Machina?
If you liked Ex Machina, try Her, Blade Runner, Blade Runner 2049 and A.I. Artificial Intelligence.