Ex Machina, the award-winning sci-fi thriller starring Alicia Vikander and Oscar Isaac, has landed on Netflix. Written and directed by Alex Garland, the filmmaker behind Annihilation (2018), Civil War (2024) and Warfare (2025), the movie has won widespread acclaim, with the Associated Press lauding it as both “unique” and “unforgettable”.

First released in 2014, Ex Machina follows Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson), a programmer hired by Blue Book CEO Nathan Bateman (Isaac), who is asked to determine whether Ava (Vikander), an artificial intelligence robot, is capable of thought and consciousness.

Awarded a Certified Fresh score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, Ex Machina has been lauded by critics. “A clever film with one indelible performance from Isaac,” raved the Globe and Mail.

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“This is bewitchingly smart science fiction of a type that’s all too rare. Its intelligence is anything but artificial,” added The Daily Telegraph.

Meanwhile, Empire Magazine wrote: “Stylish, elegant, tense, cerebral, satirical and creepy. Garland’s directorial debut is his best work yet, while Vikander’s bold performance will short your circuits.”

Thanks to glowing reviews, Ex Machina is currently listed as one of Isaac’s highest-rated movies on Rotten Tomatoes.

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It’s also one of the site’s top five movies. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and Drive (2011) have both been rated at 93%, while Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) and Ex Machina have been given 92%, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi is scored at 91%.

Isaac, who appears to be busier than ever, has a new movie on the horizon, too. Set to star in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, the actor appears as the titular Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who brings a creature to life.

“I didn’t expect that playing this character was going to be so fun and joyful,” Isaac revealed on the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast. “I mean, some dark stuff. This guy’s got a lot of rage, he’s got a lot of damage, and yet, I’m finding it really enjoyable.”

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Netflix

While Frankenstein is currently in select theatres across the US, the highly anticipated film is expected to land on Netflix on 7 November 2025.

Boasting a stellar cast, Jacob Elordi appears as Frankenstein’s monster, while Mia Goth plays Lady Elizabeth Harlander, a woman whom Victor has feelings for. Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, Christoph Waltz and Charles Dance also star.

Ex Machina is currently available to stream on Netflix.

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Megan is a freelance news reporter for Digital Spy.Â