The frame above is from the 2015 science-fiction drama, Ex Machina. In the frame, there is a sentient robot or artificial intelligence with the face of a human woman 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 ending with a human face which is close to the front edge of the frame. 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. Judging by the title, this a machine made by man, but has god-like qualities that surpass humans. The masks also seem to show an evolution in the way that humans chose to represent themselves. The row of masks concludes with the human face that is used for the artificial intelligence. The way the masks are lined up implicate that for the longest time, humans were creating ways to show who they were and how they were and now they have essentially created another human. 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 is looking at the face with great contemplation. Her serious facial expression implies that she is frozen in thought, unsure what the masks mean to her. She is stopped at the final mask where she most likely sees a reflection of herself. Being an artificial intelligence, she is probably unable to relate to a human experience and 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 sees herself as something more than that. Throughout all of this contemplation, it appears that the artificial intelligence is experiencing emotion and is capable of taking the qualities of humans and making them 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; a metaphor that technology will soon make a major breakthrough and break out of the confines of human control. If this is true the conclusion can be made that if artificial intelligence were to break through the barrier, it will have the potential to surpass humans from an evolutionary perspective and 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 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 to 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.