Where was Ex Machina filmed?
2014
City Locations
Valldal (Norway); London (UK)
Location Types
Hotels/Motels, Buildings/Offices, House, Film Studio
Location Styles
Boutique Hotel, Camper, Contemporary Modern, Office Building Style, Plane/Helicopter Style, Retreat, High Tech/Futuristic
About Ex Machina
Unfurling the layers of mind-bending cinema, Ex Machina, a remarkable film from 2014, stands as a testament to the prowess of its director, Alex Garland. The film features the compelling performances of talented actors Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, and Oscar Isaac, who bring this chilling sci-fi psychological thriller to life.
The plot centers on programming engineer Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), chosen by his CEO, Nathan (Oscar Isaac), to administer the Turing test of an intelligent humanoid robot, Ava (Alicia Vikander). As Caleb draws nearer to Ava, the mysteries about Nathan's true intentions become more sinister. Within its enthralling plot, Ex Machina deftly explores profound questions about the nature of consciousness, AI, and the morality of creating sentient beings.
The film's original narrative and groundbreaking special effects were well-received. Its genius went global, earning it nods at prestigious awards, including the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Critics' Choice, and the British Academy Film Awards.
Ex Machina has been well-received by critics, with an average score of 8.2 out of 10, according to the prominent review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. While the site's general opinion is that the film's intellectual substance is more important than the special effects, most reviewers agree that it's a visually beautiful and fascinating science fiction film. The picture received a 78 out of 100 score on Metacritic, another site aggregating reviews using a weighted average method.
Ex Machina Locations
The breathtaking locales that director Alex Garland has brought to life in this stunning exploration of AI serve as integral parts of the story. Many of the sequences were filmed in Norway, a country known for its stunning landscapes, while others were set in London, a metropolis that starkly contrasts the serene Norway.
You can see the spectacular Norwegian landscape in two key spots. One is the private Fjora House, which offers a memorable view from the living room outward as the building's architecture harmonizes with the lofty rock upon which it rests. The Juvet Landscape Hotel in Norway is the second site; it is a glass-walled sanctuary with wonderful views of the Norwegian landscape and an architectural harmony between man and environment.
The stunning Norwegian landscapes serve as more than simply a cinematic background; they also give the story its unique allure. Several Ex Machina scenes were also filmed in the Bloomberg finance firm offices at 50 Finsbury Square.
Visiting these locales allows one to experience Ex Machina's breathtaking scenery, architecture, and lively urban life while reliving the film's cinematic genius. Any traveler, movie buff, or cinephile at heart will enjoy visiting these locations.
Caleb wins a chance to spend a week with Nathan scene in Ex Machina
50 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1PQ, UK
A young programmer, Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), is informed at his office that he has been selected to spend a week with the mysterious CEO of the company, Nathan (Oscar Isaac). All of the subsequent plot points in the film are established in this sequence.
The sleek and modern office where Caleb works is the Bloomberg financial company's office located at 50 Finsbury Square, London. This striking building was constructed in 2000 by Norman Foster & Partners, making it an exciting blend of history and modernity.
While interior visits to the office are not available to the public, fans of Ex Machina can still appreciate the exterior of the building. To get to this location, you can take the tube to Moorgate Station, which is only a short walk from Finsbury Square.
Browse London Filming Locations
Caleb gets to Nathan's house scene in Ex Machina
Juvet Landscape Hotel, Alstad 24, 6210 Valldal, Norway
Caleb is airlifted into a vast reserve owned by Nathan, his company's enigmatic CEO. Caleb is left to navigate through the dense woodland to Nathan's secluded residence. Upon arrival, he's greeted by an automated system that issues him a key card and grants him access to the house. Initially bewildered and left to roam the house alone, Caleb finds Nathan working out.
The stunning exterior of Nathan's house, as seen in the film, is the Juvet Landscape Hotel in Norway. This remote hotel is uniquely designed to blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Each room is constructed with a low profile, offering guests an unobstructed view of the breathtaking valley surrounding the property. The landscape rooms consist of seven small 'cubes' elevated on stilts, seamlessly merging with the surrounding natural scenery. They offer stunning vistas of the river, courtyard, valley, or the gorge below.
For fans of Ex Machina, a visit to the Juvet Landscape Hotel provides an opportunity to immerse themselves in the captivating setting of the movie. The hotel is still operational, allowing fans to book a stay and experience the serene beauty of the location firsthand.
To reach the Juvet Landscape Hotel from Oslo, you can fly to Ålesund Airport. From there, it's about a two-hour drive to the hotel. If you're coming from Bergen, you can take a ferry to Fodnes and then drive to the hotel, which will take approximately five hours.
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Caleb discovers the living room scene in Ex Machina
Fjora House, Fv92 20, 6210 Valldal, Norway
Caleb discovers that the TV in his room doubles as a CCTV network, providing him with a live feed of Ava (Alicia Vikander) in her habitat. During a sudden blackout, Caleb sets out to find Nathan and eventually locates him in a state of drunken irritability. Nathan dismisses the power cuts and assures Caleb that he is "looking into it."
This scene unfolds in a remarkable house that marries the architectural designs of two distinct structures—the Fjora House and the Juvet Landscape Hotel. Both buildings are the brainchild of the same Norwegian architectural duo, Jensen & Skodvin, and they're skillfully unified on the screen to create a single, stunning residence.
Fjora House, a private residence built in 2014, is particularly distinctive for its integration with the surrounding rock formation. The rock cuts into the corners of the living room and the plate glass windows, creating a unique and striking design feature. The house overlooks the beautiful Rusetbugen inlet, offering spectacular views of the natural landscape.
To get to this location, you can take a flight to Oslo, Norway, and then a connecting flight to Ålesund. From Ålesund, it's about a two-hour drive to the Valldal area, where the Fjora House is located. Additionally, Juvet Landscape Hotel is located nearby, only 20 minutes via Fv63.
Video Shoot Locations Guide
Nathan and Caleb hike near a waterfall scene in Ex Machina
Grønfossen Waterfall, Grønfossen, 2668 Lesjaskog, Norway
Nathan and Caleb step away from the high-tech confines of the house to take a hike near a waterfall. This moment offers a brief yet poignant contrast between the film's overarching themes of artificial intelligence and nature's raw, unfiltered beauty.
This scene occurs near the majestic Grønfossen Waterfall in Grøndalen, a breathtaking natural gem around three hours’ drive from the Juvet Hotel and south of Route E136. The roaring waterfall at Lesjaskog provides a tranquil backdrop for the characters' interactions, highlighting the stark difference between their artificial environment and the untamed beauty of the natural world.
The Grønfossen Waterfall is a stunning filming location and an idyllic spot for outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. The path to the waterfall is signposted from the bicycle trail that runs around Lesjaskogsvatnet, making it easily accessible for visitors.
From Ålesund, it's approximately a two-and-a-half-hour drive along the picturesque Route E136 to reach the Grøndalen area. The waterfall is a short hike from the main road, with clear signage directing visitors.
Ava and Caleb spend time together scene in Ex Machina
Pinewood Studios, Pinewood Rd, Slough, Iver SL0 0NH, UK
Caleb and Ava develop a bond as they spend more time together. This connection intensifies when Ava adorns herself in clothes to appear more human to Caleb. Confused yet intrigued, Caleb confides in Nathan, suspecting that Ava has been programmed to flirt with him. Infuriated by this suggestion, Nathan leads Caleb to his lab, where Ava was created.
The interior scenes, like the observation room where Caleb monitors Ava while Nathan supervises, were built on stage at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. The studios employed blue-screen technology to incorporate the Norwegian landscape into the scenes through the windows, ensuring continuity with the outdoor settings.
Pinewood Studios, a distinguished institution in the film industry, has been turning dreams into reality for over 85 years. The studio has served as the base for numerous productions ranging from large-scale films to television programs, commercials, and pop promos. It is renowned for hosting iconic film franchises such as James Bond. However, it's worth noting that Pinewood Studios is not typically open to the public. Only pre-authorized visitors are permitted entry.
To reach Pinewood Studios, take a train from London to Gerrards Cross or Slough, followed by a taxi ride to the studios. Alternatively, the studios are located just off the M40 and M25 motorways if you're driving.
Conclusion
Ex Machina is a breath of fresh air in science fiction. Unlike most movies that favor sensation and spectacle over intellectual content, Ex Machina stands out as an actual sci-fi piece, rich with ideas and deeper meaning. This directorial debut by novelist and screenwriter Alex Garland, known for his work on 28 Days Later, Sunshine, and others, is a refreshing departure from the norm.
The performances in Ex Machina are nothing short of remarkable. Isaac's portrayal is particularly captivating—his character is cruel and scornful yet intriguing, and his intellectual credibility is unquestionable. The film's conclusion is profoundly satisfying, presenting imagery of primitive savagery that is emotionally overwhelming yet perfectly fitting for the storyline.
The script of Ex Machina is an excellent extension of Garland's previous work. Known for exploring societal organization, the balance between rules and authority abuse, and the impact of centuries-old gender roles on relationships, Garland brings these themes to the forefront in Ex Machina.
Ex Machina is not just a film; it's a significant contribution to the movie industry, pushing the boundaries of what's expected from the sci-fi genre. The film's focus on ideas over spectacle sets a high standard for future sci-fi works. Its striking filming locations, especially the serene landscapes of Norway, are also worth a visit for their beauty and tranquility. This film is a testament to how science fiction can be intellectually stimulating and visually stunning.