Ex Machina Director: Alex Garland Year: 2014 | Rating: 4/5

Ex: Machina is a gripping exploration of artificial intelligence, power dynamics, and human ethics. Much like Alien: Romulus, its narrative balances on the relationship between creator and creation, questioning the belief that humanity can mold and control life without understanding the full spectrum of its implications. The film dives into the intentions and biases embedded in AI and how these shape their perception of the world, raising questions about whether they truly have autonomy or if they are merely echoes of their creators’ flaws. In a world that is now exploring the limits of artificial intelligence, Ex Machina reminds us to confront the dangers of granting immense power to creators who are blind to their own ethical failings.

Highlights

          The brilliance of Ex Machina lies in its ability to keep viewers guessing about Ava’s true intentions. Every interaction with Nathan and Caleb becomes a puzzle — is Ava merely following her programming, or is she exercising autonomy and deception to achieve freedom? Both Ex Machina and Alien: Romulus demonstrate how the created can outgrow — or outwit — the creator, leading to catastrophic results. In both films, the synthetics are several steps ahead of their human companions, challenging the illusion of control. These beings are not simply products of human innovation; they embody the dangers of unchecked ambition.
        

Interstellar Director: Christopher Nolan Year: 2014 | Rating: 4.5/5

Interstellar is not just a story of intergalactic exploration but a profound meditation on leadership, sacrifice, and the burden of revealing truths that humanity may not be ready to face. Cooper’s desperate escape from Gargantua — where every passing second robs him of decades with his family — underscores the clash between selflessness and personal sacrifice. Like Alien: Romulus, Interstellar delves into the choices that leaders make when the stakes are nothing less than humanity’s future.

Highlights

          At the heart of Interstellar is the theme of leadership in crisis. Dr. Brand’s (Anne Hathaway) insistence on the power of love as a guiding force stands in stark contrast to the colder pragmatism of Dr. Mann (Matt Damon), who, like the antagonists in Romulus, represents the darker side of leadership — selfishness and manipulation disguised as necessity. In the end, Interstellar reminds us that leaders who endure the greatest sacrifices often stand at the intersection of hope and despair, illuminating paths forward even when it costs them everything.
        

Annihilation Director: Alex Garland Year: 2018 | Rating: 3.5/5

Annihilation, much like Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy, is a haunting exploration of humanity’s hubris and its collision with the unknowable forces of nature. The film plunges into the psychological and ecological consequences of human interference with life’s genetic building blocks. It resonates with Atwood’s meditations on the arrogance of attempting to control or manipulate natural processes — whether through bioengineering in Oryx & Crake or the genetic experimentation of the Shimmer in Annihilation. At its heart, Annihilation is a harrowing reminder that progress without humility comes at the cost of our identity, our environment, and perhaps our very survival.

Highlights

          As the five scientists enter the Shimmer, they encounter an ecosystem where DNA from every living thing is refracted, reshaped, and reassembled. This realm suggests a blurred boundary between human and non-human life, questioning the definition of identity and individuality in a world altered by human interference. This parallels Atwood’s critique of how humanity’s actions reverberate through ecosystems, often amplifying suffering for all living things involved. Both Annihilation and Atwood’s works suggest that humanity’s attempts to dominate nature may instead unleash forces we cannot control.
        

Prometheus Gallery

Film Reviews

Highlights

Highlights

Highlights