This interview contains mild Ex Machina spoilers.
But in one of them, he meets Ava (Vikander), a likely sentient robot.
Obviously this is a uniquely elaborate film.
Alicia, could you describe how much time you spent in hair and make-up?
How did you apply such an intricate look to both the robotic and flesh elements?
Alicia Vikander:I spent four and a half hours [in make-up].
They just did a mold of my body.
So, the silver mesh that you see is just a full bodysuit, so I looked like Spider-Man.
What do you think is this continuing fascination with artificial intelligence?
AV:Well, I think its the same thing.
This is just another way of talking about it.
If your job is to reconstruct a human mind, where do you start?
What kind of interaction is necessary?
Is some sense of organic materialall these kind of things what we are.
Is consciousness just a byproduct of something else happening?
Then you start to just fantasize in your head.
So that actually was one.
So all of that was interesting to at least get an understanding.
I mean theres no way I could ever really understand what thats about.
OI:But whats interesting is that its not a real Turing test, and its actually a ruse.
So theres actually another test thats happening.
Did you talk at all about if theres a guiding principle or morality in Nathans intellectual curiosity?
The ethical question of when you know something is self-aware, then what is your responsibility with it?
Because Nathan finds himself in this interesting predicament of [developing a machine that wants to escape].
For him, I dont think he has much empathy for human beings.
You feel bad for her?
Feel bad for us, because this is the end of us.
Like with all things, its evolution.
If I dont do it, but we can do it, someone else will do it.
Its like putting a red button in front of any human beings.
They will eventually push it.
Technology is certainly advancing, but do you think mankind is advancing with it?
We immediately lose control over them, or very few end up getting control over what those things are.
So, I dont have any reason to believe that it would start to be different.
Maybe its a good thing.
I think Alex would say that he is an optimist.
Hes pessimistic about humans but optimistic about the machines.
As cerebral as the movie is, it is also has a strong physicality.
How did you develop that?
But also, I tried to embody the factNathan knows hes already created something that has a conscious.
Well think maybe shes a bit offbeat.
OI:Its great because its like acting self-awareness.
Shes like an entity thats hyper-self-aware.
Thats a very hard thing to do so well.
How did she evolve during the course of the film?
So, I think its a very human thing.
Shes very curious, and I think she wants to read Caleb more than Nathan [realizes].
Oscar, can you talk about your physicality as well?
Hes constantly working out, gratuitously so.
Hes someone whos seemingly insurmountable.
Your character builds a creation that he ends up having no control over.
As a being of superior intellect to everyone you meet, your character is able to create anything.
So why doesnt he create a kill switch?
OI:His whole point is to create something that will be smart enough to escape.
Hes not looking for control.
He makes something thats self-aware, and it immediately wants to escape.Interesting.
But it cant escape; its too stupid to.Lets make the next one.
Ah, this one is getting better, this one is getting better, this one is getting better.
He says its only a matter of time.
You talk about his God Complex and his need to create.
Do you see any similarities between that and the character of Apocalypse, such as creating Archangel?
OI:Ah, thats interesting [Smiles].
This is a trap, right?
[Laughs] Sure.
The thing is with Nathan is he doesnt have a God Complex.
He says a lot of quite brilliant things, and I definitely think hes playing the part.
OI:And the difference with Apocalypse is ApocalypseisGod.
Thats what sci-fi has been forever.
But what would make a great double feature?
OI:Ill say it:2001.
But clearly, he should kill HAL, because HALs horrible.
Because what we can do is both amazing and horrible.
