Alex Garland is a ground-breaking writer in the not always mutually exclusive cinema genres of science fiction and dystopian. He wrote the novel, "The Beach" (2000), starring Leonard DiCaprio and directed by Danny Boyle. He wrote screenplays for the movies "28 Days Later" (2002) and "Sunshine" (2007), both directed by Boyle, and "Never Let Me Go" (2010) and "Dredd" (2012).

"Ex Machina" was written and directed by Garland. It's an auspicious theatrical feature-film directorial debut.

The film is a cinematic experience. You are plunged into a closed loop world of a billionaire artificial-intelligence researcher, Nathan (Oscar Isaac), who recruits a highly-astute computer programmer, Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), to interact, observe and report on his latest robot, Ava (Alicia Vikander).

The setting is a secluded house. Inside, on opposite sides of floor-to-ceiling glass, a series of "Sessions," each introduced with a supertitle, is held. Caleb interviews Ava and they discusses their "feelings" and "thoughts."

The film's title is from a Latin phrase, Deus Ex-Machina (God from the Machine), a Greek theatrical plot device whereby a god solves problems in a play.

To direct a film such as "Ex Machina" successfully, a director needs superb actors.

Gleeson ("Unbroken," "Calvary," "Frank," "Anna Karenina," "About Time," "Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows" and a son of actor Brendan Gleeson) gives us a naive science enthusiast with a storehouse of knowledge so as to create a sympathetic character who is an oasis of calm, with whom the audience can identify.

If you had any doubt about Isaac ("A Most Violent Year," "Inside Llewyn Davis") being one of the most amazing up-and-coming actors, his cool yet trip-wired "mad" scientist portrayal in "Ex Machina" should erase any doubt.

Of course, if a robot is at the center of your movie plot, you had better build, or have, a better robot. Ava, the cool robot with the semi-see-through body, rivets your attention. Vikander ("Seventh Son," "Anna Karenina") presents a riveting performance of quiet exactitude. She's amazing.

In a supporting role as Nathan's housekeeper is Sonoya Mizuno in a stunning minimalist portrayal.

Production design by Mark Digby ("Slumdog Millionaire"), art direction by Katrina Mackay ("28 Weeks Later") and cinematography by Rob Hardy (":Every Secret Thing") is sublime. The music score by Geoff Barrow ("Lord Of War") and Ben Salisbury (TV's "Nature") at times is just a vibrating "thrum," It's so effective.

"Ex Machina" is "Frankenstein," or perhaps "The Bride Of Frankenstein," for the 21st century. "Ex Machina" explores material not unlike "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?," the 1968 science-fiction novel by Philip K. Dick (basis for "Blade Runner").

And yet "Ex Machina" is something more, much more. It tackles artificial intelligence in an entertaining and highly-captivating manner.

If you were fascinated by the film, "Her" (2013), in which a robotic voice intrigued Joaquin Phoenix, "Ex Machina" is the total package. Don't miss it.

Credit Readers Anonymous: "Ex Machina" was filmed in Norway and Pinewood Studios, England.

"Ex Machina," MPAA Rated R (Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian) for graphic nudity, language, sexual references and some violence; Genre: Science Fiction; Run time: 1 hr., 48 min. Disbributed by A24.

Box Office, May 15: "Pitch Perfect 2" hit all the right notes to open at No. 1, with $70.3 million, leaving "Mad Max: Fury Road" in its dust, opening at No. 2, with $44.4 million, and dropping "Avengers: Age Of Ultron" to No. 3, after two weeks at No. 1, with $38.8 million, $372 million, three weeks;

4. "Hot Pursuit," $5.7 million, $23.5 million, two weeks; 5. "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2," $3.6 million, $62.9 million, five weeks; 6. "Furious 7," $3.6 million, $343.8 million, seven weeks; 7. "The Age Of Adaline," $3.2 million, $37 million, four weeks; 8. "Home," $2.7 million, $165.6 million, eight weeks; 9. "Ex Machina," $2.1 million, $19.5 million, six weeks; 10. "Far From The Madding Crowd") $1.3 million, $2.6 million, three weeks

Unreel, May 22:

"Tomorrowland," PG: Director Brad Bird puts a new spin on the Disneyland-Disney World attraction. The science fiction thriller takes George Clooney as an inventor and Britt Robertson as a curious teen on a mission to a secret place in space.

"Poltergeist," PG-13: The remake of the classic horror-thriller stars Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt as a suburban family whose home is haunted by a mysterious force that jeopardizes their daughter.

"Aloft," R: A mother meets the son she abandoned 20 years ago. Jennifer Connelly stars in the drama. Cillian Murphy, Melanie Laurent and Oona Chaplin costar.

Read Paul Willistein's movie reviews at the Lehigh Valley Press web site, thelehighvalley-press.com; the Times-News web site, tnonline.com; and hear them on "Lehigh Valley Art Salon," 6 - 6:30 p.m. Mondays, WDIY 88.1 FM, wdiy.org, where the movie reviews are archived. Email Paul Willistein: pwillistein@ tnonline. com. Follow Paul Willistein on Twitter @ PaulWillistein and friend Paul Willistein on facebook.

Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes