Alex Garland’s critically acclaimed science fiction thriller, "Ex Machina," is set to become available for free streaming on Tubi starting March 1. This highly praised AI thriller, often regarded as one of the best sci-fi films of the 2010s, offers a sleek and unnerving cinematic experience that audiences can now revisit or discover without cost.

The film delves into a compelling narrative centered around Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), a low-level programmer who wins a company lottery. His prize transports him to the secluded estate of his brilliant billionaire CEO, Nathan (Oscar Isaac). Upon arrival, Caleb discovers his true purpose: to administer a Turing Test to Ava (Alicia Vikander), an advanced humanoid AI. As Caleb interacts with Ava, her intelligence and emotional depth rapidly raise complex questions, challenging the boundaries of artificial consciousness and human perception.

"Ex Machina" garnered significant critical acclaim upon its release, achieving an impressive 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its profound impact extended to the awards circuit, where it notably won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, distinguishing itself against much larger blockbusters despite its visually restrained and deliberately minimal aesthetic. Collider's Perri Nemiroff reviewed the film at SXSW in 2015, highlighting Garland's successful debut. Nemiroff praised its character-driven approach to AI, its grounded premise, effective humor delivered by Isaac's character, a riveting core scenario, and stunning visual work. However, she also noted that for a unique and layered character study, the film contained a surprisingly minimal amount of humanity, which prevented it from resonating on a deeper emotional level for a lasting effect.

Released on April 24, 2015, the film has a runtime of 108 minutes. Alex Garland not only directed "Ex Machina" but also penned its screenplay. The film was produced by Allon Reich and Andrew Macdonald, with a talented cast including Domhnall Gleeson as Caleb, Alicia Vikander as Ava, and Oscar Isaac as Nathan. Viewers eager to experience this unsettling modern cinematic three-hander can mark their calendars for its free debut on Tubi next month.