How to Watch Ex Machina

Deus ex machina (Latin for "god from the machine") is a dramatic device that solves an unresolvable conflict by the timely appearance of an implausible character, object, or ability.

Whether it's used for comedic relief, to disentangle a plot, or to surprise an audience, a deus ex machina can be a powerful tool. But it's also controversial, and many people think that it should be avoided at all costs because it makes a story feel hokey or contrived.

1. Look for the irony or silliness

A deus ex machina (pronounced dee-oh smah) is a plot device that resolves a conflict in a spectacular fashion. The name is derived from the Latin word “deus,” meaning god. The device can be found in all genres, but can be most impressive in comedies or other dramas that feature improbable resolutions.

The best way to spot a deus ex machina is to look for the irony or silliness of the trick. For example, a deus ex machina could include a last-minute rescue or a clever use of the camera to highlight an action worthy of the screen. The most memorable deus ex machina was when a T-Rex showed up to save the day in Jurassic Park.

In the same vein, a deus ex machina can be seen in movies such as The Wizard of Oz and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The best examples of this are when they are in the hands of a competent scriptwriter, preferably one that has a sense of humor.

Among the best deus ex machina movies to watch are a few old time favorites like The Wizard of Oz, A Night in the Dark, and A Star is Born. The best deus ex machina movie isn’t a blockbuster but is the spirited endeavor of a cult favorite or an otherwise forgettable film that will be enjoyed by a limited audience for the right reasons.

2. Watch for the last-minute rescues

In movies and stories, characters often find themselves in terrible situations. This is a great way to keep things interesting, and it helps the story flow better. But conflict is only useful if it leads to resolution and catharsis. That catharsis is a necessary part of storytelling, and writers must have the ability to resolve it effectively.

That’s why there are a lot of last-minute rescues in the world of fiction. These are sometimes called deus ex machina, and they can be good or bad.

A deus ex machina is a character who saves someone at the last minute, usually by surprise. The character can be a god or even just a hero, but the unexpected moment of rescue is what earns it the title “deus ex machina” (God from the machine).

These last-minute rescues are often used in science-fiction and horror movies to add suspense and tension to a scene. They can be incredibly effective in these genres, but they’re also overused.

The problem with this kind of last-minute rescue is that it’s often too convenient for the audience. In Raiders of the Lost Ark, for instance, Indy and Marion are tied up while their enemies escape inside the ark, but they’re saved when the same supernatural forces burn through the ropes.

Similarly, in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, young Anakin fires a missile at the Death Star and destroys it with no prior training. This makes it seem like a last-minute rescue, but it’s actually a completely intentional move.

When watching a movie, it’s important to watch for these last-minute rescues and see if they make sense. If a character’s unexpected and random rescue is the only way that they get out of a dangerous situation, it may be a sign that the writer is lazy or has poor plotting.

Another thing to look out for is irony or silliness in the story. If you’re writing a horror movie, for example, a last-minute rescue by a chimpanzee can be hilariously funny, but it could also be a cheap plot contrivance that’s used too often.

3. Watch for pure coincidence

The deus ex machina is a plot device that uses coincidence to solve a story problem. It may be a clever twist on a common trope, or it could be a novel way to add some unexpected complexity to the story.

In movies, deus ex machina can mean a number of things, from the cavalry coming to the rescue to an unknown piece of information saving the day last minute. The best ones, however, are the ones that are actually used to benefit the characters, rather than just being convenient or a cheap trick.

A deus ex machina is also the product of a lot of hard work and planning, so it’s worth watching out for it. A great example of this is a character who stumbles across the elusive missing ring in a remote forest.

As Robert McKee explains in his video essay, the most impressive thing about this type of gimmick is that it can enrich the telling, not just distract from it. It can be a small occurrence that adds to the story, such as a hut in the woods where a character needs to stay overnight, or it can be a large event that alters the plot.

It’s hard to find a single deus ex machina that works all the time, so you have to be on the lookout for these and other examples. The trick is to see when you’re getting close, and make sure that the one that sticks is actually a good thing.

4. Watch for the resolution

The deus ex machina is the unexpected power, person or event that dramatically solves a problem. It's a common stage device in Greek tragedy and is also used in modern literature.

A deus ex machina resolution is usually out of the blue and bears no connection to anything that happened earlier in the story. It's also a very maligned technique and it can leave audiences feeling unsatisfied.

This type of plot device is usually the last resort when writers are trying to end a story on a high note but need to cut to the quick to get to a satisfying conclusion. It's often used in science fiction and fantasy to solve a crisis, but it can work well in comedies as well.

In Ex Machina, a computer programmer wins a lottery of mixed fortunes and travels to his boss Nathan's isolated mountain resort where he discovers Nathan has built an artificial intelligence called "Ava." Ava is a terrifyingly capable machine but she also starts sharing secrets that force Caleb to face the reality that he's been duped.

The film is a fascinating look at the relationship between humans and technology. It also serves as a cautionary tale about how we may be leading our lives without even realizing it.

It's easy to see why critics are so harsh on the use of deus ex machina in films, especially when the solution is based on pure coincidence or luck. The most common example is when a character dies in a dramatic climax only to be saved by some random person or event.

This is often seen in movies like The Wizard of Oz or Raiders of the Lost Ark, but it can be used to a comedic effect as well. In Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, for instance, Arthur and Zaphod are ejected into deep space by the Vogons but they are rescued by a starship.