The frame above is from the 2015 science-fiction drama, Ex Machina. In the frame, the viewer can see what appears to be a sentient robot or artificial intelligence looking at several masks on a glass wall. The masks are reminiscent of those used in tragic Greek plays, like Dante’s Inferno. The masks are lined up culminating into a human face which is closest to the viewer. The human face resembles the one that is on the artificial intelligence. The artificial intelligence is staring at the human face and appears to be contemplating how it relates to her or how she relates to it. All of this seems to be contained in a futuristic, concrete structure. Through analyzing each of these items in the frame, it will be clear to the viewer that the frame is meant to show the evolution of technology and how it will one day surpass human life.

As stated above, the masks are reminiscent of those used in Greek tragedies, like Dante’s Inferno; the third mask, in particular, is incredibly similar. These tragedies would use various machines and mechanisms to have the actors seem like god in a technique called, “deus ex machina”, or god from the machine. The title of the film is clearly influenced by the wording of this phrase. If this is correct, the assumption can be made that the artificial intelligence possesses abilities beyond that of a human and may even be god-like. The masks also seem to show a kind of evolution in the way that humans chose to represent themselves. The row of masks culminates in the human face that is used on the artificial intelligence. This could mean that humans will cease to exist, letting artificial intelligence be the next step in human evolution or that humans will soon represent themselves in a constructed body in a digital age. Taking both interpretations of what the masks and their positions signifies, it can be said that artificial intelligence will surpass humans as the next step in evolution or as god-like figures over humans. 

Another point of significance in the frame is how the artificial intelligence is looking at the human face on the glass wall. The artificial intelligence, which looks female, is looking at the face with great contemplation. She seems frozen in thought, unsure whether the masks mean something to her or she means something to the masks. She may see herself in the final mask and want to understand how she was created. Being an artificial intelligence and unable to relate to a human experience, this may be something she can relate to and want to know more of. Based on the evidence presented in the previous paragraph, it is more plausible that the artificial intelligence sees the masks as human creations and will want to reject any kind of place on the wall with them. Instead the artificial intelligence may see herself as something above a simple human life. Throughout all of this contemplation, the intelligence is definitely experiencing emotion and is capable of taking the qualities of humans and being more efficient as a machine.

Finally, the structure that this all takes place in is concrete and claustrophobic. It creates a sense that the artificial intelligence is trapped in this building and is trying to escape. This is also a metaphor that technology will soon make a major breakthrough and break out of the confines of human control and will soon become self-sufficient. Once technology reaches a point of self-sufficiency it is very possible that it may develop at a rate that humans cannot keep up with, making it possible for humans to become obsolete as technology overpowers them. The artificial intelligence may be a representation of that idea as she is standing up right on her own and seems to be showing thought and emotion that may be more controllable than humans. The glass on which the masks are displayed also present a very futuristic atmosphere, furthering the idea that artificial intelligence will have a place in the future, with or without humans. 

By analyzing the masks on the wall and their place in history, the face of contemplation shown by the artificial intelligence, and the surrounding environment in the frame, it can be concluded that the frame is meant illustrate how artificial intelligence is the next step in evolution. The frame and its many meanings could mean any number of things, but the way the cinematographer crafted it puts a great emphasis on technology and its place in this world. Based on the information in the frame, the viewer is meant to be concerned and even fearful of technology.