SCENES
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Scene Map 60
# PG SLUGLINE
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INT EXT INT/EXT hover for full slug
Scene Map
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# PG SLUGLINE
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EX MACHINA By Alex Garland © Alex Garland 2013 c/o DNA Films Ltd.
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2 EXT. MOUNTAINS - DAY 2 A spectacular mountain landscape. Waterfalls drop down massive rock faces to inland lakes. Rivers push through forest. Forest spreads across valley floors, which rise to snow peaks.
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4 EXT. MOUNTAINS - DAY 4 The helicopter flies over a vast white glacier. 5 EXT. MOUNTAINS - DAY 5 CUT 6 EXT. MOUNTAINS - DAY 6
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10 EXT. RIVER - DAY 10 CALEB walks along the banks of the fast-flowing river, awkwardly bumping his wheeled suitcase over the ground. The banks of the river start to climb, to an intimidating drop.
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13 INT. HOUSE/MAIN ROOM - DAY 13 The front door opens to a glass-walled staircase, which leads down to an open-plan room. At the bottom of the staircase, CALEB waits to see if he is welcomed, or noticed.
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14 EXT. GARDEN - DAY 14 CALEB exits the dining area to an area of neat garden, looking over the river, and surrounded by the mountain ranges. The punch bag is suspended by a chain on an exterior flanking
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15 INT. HOUSE/DINING AREA - DAY 15 NATHAN walks past CALEB, and goes to a bar area, where there is a jug of non-specific vegetable juice waiting, and a glass. NATHAN
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16 EXT. HOUSE/ELEVATOR - DAY 16 NATHAN and CALEB enter an elevator. It has no buttons. Only a keycard plate. NATHAN swipes his card. NATHAN
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18 INT. HOUSE/CALEB’S BEDROOM - DAY 18 NATHAN follows CALEB into a bedroom. NATHAN You like? It has the vibe of a mid-level business hotel. Bed, table,
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19 INT. HOUSE/CALEB’S BEDROOM - DAY 19 CALEB sits at the desk in his room, holding NATHAN’S pen. In front of him is a sheet of paper, which reads, at the top: NON DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT CALEB
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20 INT. HOUSE/OBSERVATION ROOM - DAY 20 - what appears to be a neon coloured jellyfish. Tendrils like axons, hanging in a black-blue liquid space. REVEAL - - the jellyfish is contained in a glass orb.
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21 EXT. HOUSE/GARDEN - DUSK 21 A view of the house over the meadows. The sun setting is behind the mountain peaks, making the edges of the clouds glow like light-bulb filaments. 22 INT. HOUSE/DINING AREA - DUSK 22
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26 INT. HOUSE/CALEB’S BEDROOM - NIGHT 26 Darkness. The clock reads 01:32 am. The soft glow from the digital readout throws a light on the remote control.
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27 INT. HOUSE/GLASS CORRIDOR - NIGHT 27 CALEB walks out of his room. The glass corridor illuminates as CALEB enters. Ahead, one of the doors off the corridor is ajar. 28 INT. HOUSE/POLLOCK ROOM - NIGHT 28
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29 EXT. MOUNTAINS - NIGHT 29 Above the mountains, dense star constellations wheel in the clear sky. 30 INT. HOUSE/CALEB’S BEDROOM - MORNING 30 CALEB is woken by light flooding on to his face.
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32 INT. HOUSE/OBSERVATION ROOM - DAY 32 - CALEB and AVA facing each other through the glass of the observation room. AVA I brought you a drawing.
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33 INT. HOUSE/CABIN - LATE AFTERNOON 33 Trees and shrubs cast long shadows across the manicured lawn. Through the glass wall, we can see the Japanese girl, KYOKO, preparing sushi. 34 INT. HOUSE/DINING AREA - NIGHT 34
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35 INT. HOUSE/CALEB’S BATHROOM - NIGHT 35 CUT 36 INT. HOUSE/CALEB’S BATHROOM - NIGHT 36 CALEB stands in shorts, in front of the sink, having a shave. He leans forwards into the mirror, as if checking to make
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39 INT. HOUSE/CABIN - NIGHT 39 CALEB enters a small room with a view over the river and garden. It is virtually the only room apart from his own that he seems able to gain access to.
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40 EXT. GARDEN/GYM AREA - NIGHT 40 - the punch bag, and a sudden explosion of noise. Of impacts and exertions. Blood smearing the leather where it has soaked through the knuckle wraps.
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43 EXT. MOUNTAINS - NIGHT 43 The moon hangs in the sky. 44 INT. HOUSE/OBSERVATION ROOM - BLACK AND WHITE 44 Everything in the frame is black and white. CLOSE UP on AVA’S meticulous abstract pictures, scattered on
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49 INT. HOUSE/OBSERVATION ROOM - DAY 49 CALEB and AVA face each other. AVA is holding up a piece of paper to the glass. AVA I drew the picture of something
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50 INT. HOUSE/MAIN ROOM - DAY 50 CALEB sits in front of the fireplace in the main room. NATHAN joins him, bringing a beer for each of them. CALEB Tell me.
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50A INT. HOUSE/POLLOCK ROOM - DAY 50A NATHAN and CALEB stand in front of the Pollock drip painting. NATHAN You know this guy, right? CALEB
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51 INT. HOUSE/OBSERVATION ROOM - NIGHT 51 In her room, AVA stands in front of the mirror. She is wearing the summer dress she put on earlier. Checking her reflection from different angles. Subtly girlish. Unself-conscious.
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53 EXT. RIVER - DAY 53 - the river. On the bank, a little distance from the house, there is a dead animal. Its species is indistinct. It’s little more than a bundle of matted brown hair.
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55 INT. HOUSE/GLASS CORRIDOR - DAY 55 NATHAN swipes his card against a plate. The LED turns blue. 56 INT. HOUSE/CONSTRUCTION LAB - DAY 56 NATHAN leads CALEB into a laboratory, filled with android
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57 INT. HOUSE/OBSERVATION ROOM - DAY 57 CALEB looks at AVA through the glass. We watch him. And stay on him. CALEB In college, I did a semester on AI
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58 INT. HOUSE/NATHAN’S STUDY - DAY 58 An interior wall, covered in coloured post-it notes. At least hundreds, probably thousands. At the bottom of the wall, fallen notes have collected like a miniature yellow snow drift.
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59 INT. HOUSE/OBSERVATION ROOM - DAY 59 - the observation room. In the emergency lighting, CALEB and AVA face each other in silence. CCTV are lifeless.
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60 INT. HOUSE/NATHAN’S STUDY - DAY 60 - KYOKO’S naked form. The camera settles over her face. And we see she’s not sleeping. Her eyes are open. But she’s completely motionless.
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63 EXT. GLACIER - DAY 63 NATHAN and CALEB sits near the base of a spectacular glacier. Behind them, from a blue cave cut into the ice, water flows. A silence. Then:
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64 EXT. CLEARING - NIGHT 64 Night has fallen. CALEB lies in the clearing, looking up at the stars. The glow from the CIRCULAR WINDOW to NATHAN’S STUDY is like a full moon on the grass.
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66 INT. HOUSE/CALEB’S BEDROOM - NIGHT 66 CALEB enters his bedroom wearing boxer shorts. The TV plays the live stream from the observation room. On the screen, we can see AVA, sitting at her table, drawing. As CALEB pulls on a T-shirt -
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68 INT. HOUSE/POLLOCK ROOM - NIGHT 68 CALEB enters the Jackson Pollock room. Standing by the painting, he can see KYOKO. CALEB Kyoko.
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69 EXT. HOUSE/GLASS CORRIDOR - NIGHT 69 CALEB half-carries the semi-conscious NATHAN. 70 INT. HOUSE/GLASS CORRIDOR - NIGHT 70 NATHAN fumbles in his pocket for his KEYCARD. Drops it.
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75 INT. HOUSE/OBSERVATION ROOM - DAY 75 CALEB and AVA sit, observing each other through their own reflections. AVA Today, I’m going to test you.
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76 INT. HOUSE/CONCRETE STAIRS - DAY 76 CUT 77 INT. HOUSE/DINING AREA - DAY 77 CUT 78 EXT. HOUSE/CABIN - DAY 78
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79 INT. HOUSE/OBSERVATION ROOM - NIGHT 79 AVA sits alone. Watching the door on the other side of the glass, waiting for it to open. It remains closed.
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82 INT. HOUSE/NATHAN’S STUDY - NIGHT 82 The door to NATHAN’S study opens, and CALEB enters. He walks straight to NATHAN’S desk. And sits down in front of the computer and the bank of monitors.
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85 INT. HOUSE/NATHAN’S STUDY - NIGHT 85 On the MONITORS - - the windows start to collapse. Leaving the default screen. The waterfall wallpaper. CALEB reaches for NATHAN’S KEYCARD, and is about to remove it
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87 INT. HOUSE/NATHAN’S STUDY - NIGHT 87 CALEB randomly clicks one of the girl’s names. LILY. LILY’S folder expands into a window, stacked with thumbnail images of a girl. CALEB clicks on one of the images at random.
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88 INT. HOUSE/STAIRCASE - NIGHT 88 NATHAN has managed to get to his feet. He makes his way up the concrete staircase. 88A INT. HOUSE/ELEVATOR - NIGHT 88A CUT
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91 INT. HOUSE/GLASS CORRIDOR - NIGHT 91 CUT 92 INT. HOUSE/NATHAN’S BEDROOM - NIGHT 92 CALEB stands above KYOKO’S naked form. He reaches out a hand.
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93 INT. HOUSE/CONCRETE STAIRCASE - NIGHT 93 On the monitor screens, apparently unnoticed by CALEB, NATHAN is on the live CCTV feed. Making his way along the mezzanine. CUT TO -
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97 INT. HOUSE/CALEB’S BATHROOM - NIGHT 97 CALEB enters the bathroom. He goes to the sink. He looks at his own reflection. Deep into his own eyes.
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99 EXT. GARDEN - DAY 99 Sunlight on the grass. In the background, we can hear the rhythmic pounding of NATHAN’S punch bag. 100 EXT. GARDEN/GYM AREA - DAY 100
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105 INT. HOUSE/MAIN ROOM - DAY 105 KYOKO stands in front of the fireplace. NATHAN leans against the counter in the kitchen area, gazing out of the window. CALEB appears behind him.
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106 INT. HOUSE/NATHAN’S STUDY - NIGHT 106 NATHAN and CALEB stand in front of the computer. On it, a clip of film is playing. It shows the scene that CALEB witnessed two nights before, of NATHAN entering AVA’S room, and an exchange between them.
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107 INT. HOUSE/NATHAN’S STUDY - NIGHT 107 NATHAN hits pause. Glances at CALEB. NATHAN You were right about the hot
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108 EXT. GARDEN - NIGHT 108 Through the circular window, the emergency lighting lifts up. The window glows red. 109 INT. HOUSE/AVA’S ROOM - NIGHT 109 AVA’S head turns to the door of her room.
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111 INT. HOUSE/GLASS CORRIDOR - NIGHT 111 NATHAN enters the GLASS CORRIDOR. He sees, directly ahead of him, at the far end of the corridor, AVA and KYOKO. They stand together.
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112 EXT. GARDEN - NIGHT 112 Quiet in the garden. Soft wind rush. Moon and stars reflected in the windows of the house. 112A INT. HOUSE/GLASS CORRIDOR - NIGHT 112A
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112C INT. HOUSE/GLASS CORRIDOR - NIGHT 112C - NATHAN. Preparing to deliver a lethal blow. But as he does so, we see something. KYOKO. Approaching behind NATHAN.
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113 INT. HOUSE/NATHAN’S STUDY - NIGHT 113 CALEB sees this same view, on the CCTV camera feed, on NATHAN’S monitors. Then - - AVA starts walking.
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114 INT. HOUSE/NATHAN’S BEDROOM - NIGHT 114 AVA stands in NATHAN’S BEDROOM, in front of the previous AI androids. She is unclothed. She gazes at the androids.
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116 EXT. MOUNTAINS - DAWN 116 First light breaks over the mountains. 117 INT. HOUSE/NATHAN’S BEDROOM - DAWN 117 The glow of honeycomb mesh vanishes as AVA applies the last section of skin.
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118A INT. HOUSE/GLASS CORRIDOR - DAWN 118A AVA stands in the glass corridor. She looks at KYOKO’S body for a moment. Her expression is unreadable. Then she walks up to NATHAN’S body.
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119 EXT. GARDEN - DAWN 119 From the garden, we can see CALEB through the glass of the circular window, shouting Ava’s name. On our side of the glass, there is silence. AVA walks away.
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122 EXT. MOUNTAINS - DAY 122 The helicopter sweeps over the glacier, into the valley. 123 INT. HELICOPTER - DAY 123 CUT 124 EXT. MEADOW/LANDING SITE - DAY 124
INT EXT INT/EXT tap to expand

Ex-Machina

A young programmer is selected to participate in a ground-breaking Turing test to determine the consciousness of an advanced AI, but as he grows closer to the AI, he must confront the moral and ethical implications of his role in the experiment. Other loglines ›

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Overview

Poster
Unique Selling Point

Ex Machina distinguishes itself through its sophisticated exploration of artificial intelligence, avoiding typical tropes. It delves into the ethical and philosophical implications of advanced AI, making it intellectually stimulating for a discerning audience, while maintaining a gripping thriller structure to ensure broad appeal. The unique power dynamic between Caleb, Nathan, and Ava creates an atmosphere of suspense and uncertainty that keeps viewers engaged until the very end.

AI Verdict

How to read these: in industry coverage, Pass is the default outcome for the majority of professional scripts, and Consider means the reader stayed in the room. Industry-wide, the median professional evaluation sits at a 6 — scores of 8+ are rare everywhere, on purpose.

Synthesis Where readers agree and split
8.0

A highly championable elevated sci-fi thriller anchored by a distinctive visual grammar and controlled intellectual tension, requiring targeted character and pacing work before it can secure a top-tier recommendation.

Readers read as Elevated commercial4 Prestige1
Genres Sci fi5 Thriller5 Drama3

An elevated sci-fi thriller that uses a contained Turing-test premise and surveillance architecture to sustain psychological tension and philosophical inquiry without resolving into conventional action or moral clarity.

Why not lower

The script’s formal control, distinctive visual system, and sustained thematic coherence keep it above a lower band despite pacing and character-arc gaps.

Why not higher

The protagonist’s reactive posture and the occasional stalling of momentum in philosophical exchanges prevent the script from reaching the highest band, where every scene would feel like it is accumulating pressure toward an inevitable climax.

Rewrite map

A script with a distinctive surveillance-driven visual grammar and controlled intellectual tension that requires targeted work on the protagonist’s active desire and the pacing of its philosophical exchanges.

Readers read as Elevated commercial4 Prestige1

Start here

Establishing Caleb’s self-generated desire in act one addresses both the middle-act reactivity and the final-act emotional disconnect, making his choices drive the plot rather than merely respond to it.

What's working 2
Controlled ambiguity of AI consciousness

The script rigorously withholds a definitive answer to whether Ava’s behavior is genuine or simulated, forcing the reader to constantly reassess her motives through subtle behavioral cues rather than exposition.

Observation-room dialogue pressure

The two-character sessions across the glass maintain consistent intellectual tension through withheld information and shifting power dynamics, making the premise’s central conflict legible through subtext.

Protect while fixing 1
Surveillance geometry and visual grammar

Trimming exposition or compressing the middle act risks collapsing the carefully staged sightlines and monitor angles that generate the script’s core unease.

When tightening dialogue or pacing, preserve the spatial logic of who can see whom and keep the CCTV feeds as active sources of suspense rather than collapsing them into standard coverage.

Fix first 3
Protagonist’s reactive posture and unclear objective

The reader tracks plot developments but lacks a stable emotional anchor, making the middle and final acts feel like events happening to the protagonist rather than choices he drives.

Root cause

Caleb’s personal want is withheld or framed as a response to others until late in the script, so his arc lacks a visible through-line that accumulates consequence.

One direction

Seed a concrete, self-generated desire for Caleb in act one and let it visibly conflict with his growing attachment to Ava, so his eventual choices register as character-driven escalation.

Philosophical exposition stalling narrative momentum Less critical

The reader’s sense of forward pull dips during extended theoretical debates, shifting the experience from a live psychological experiment to an academic seminar.

Root cause

Abstract arguments about consciousness and programming are delivered as standalone monologues or debates rather than being tied to immediate tactical shifts or information asymmetry.

One direction

Embed the thematic material within scenes that force a concrete change in power, access, or knowledge, so the ideas are tested through action rather than announced.

Back-half structural pressure and causal clarity Readers disagree on cause

The reader experiences the final act as a rapid sequence of plot mechanics rather than the logical culmination of the established psychological tension.

Root cause

The causal chain between the middle-act revelations and the escape sequence is compressed, and the observation-room repetitions do not visibly narrow the characters’ options.

One direction

Tighten the middle-act observation cycles so each session changes the stakes, and insert a clear causal beat before the corridor confrontation to ground the final reversals in prior decisions.

Your decisions 1
Primary revision focus: Act 2 pacing vs. Act 3 causal compression Consequential
Side A

Committing to Act 2 pacing means the philosophical exchanges and observation repetitions are the main drag, requiring trimming and re-staging to restore forward pull before the climax.

Side B

Committing to Act 3 causal compression means the middle act holds its tension, but the final sequences need an intervening beat to ground the escape mechanics and protagonist’s entrapment in prior choices.

Quick credibility wins 1
Proofreading and formatting polish

Run a dedicated pass to catch recurring typos, misattributed character names, and inconsistent slug-line or transition formatting that signal an incomplete final draft.

Ask AI about this read
Would readers champion it · Rewrite depth · Voice · Score stability
What's working All 5 readers agree

The script’s surveillance-centered visual grammar and controlled ambiguity about AI consciousness provide a distinctive, defensible identity that readers can champion in coverage discussions.

What's blocking All 5 readers agree

The protagonist’s reactive posture and the accumulation of abstract debate in the middle act weaken forward pull, which is the primary point skeptical readers would press.

Would readers champion it?
Not yetNot yetReaders wouldn’t actively push for it.
Early interestEarly interestMentioned, but no real push behind it.
ModeratelyModeratelyMentioned favorably to the right buyer.
StronglyStronglyActively championed across their network.
ClaudeStronglyGeminiStronglyDeepSeekModeratelyGPT5ModeratelyGrokModerately
How much rewrite does it need?
Start from scratchStart from scratchPremise or core engine isn’t working. Page-one rebuild.
Structural rewriteStructural rewriteSpecific acts or zones need rebuilding — not starting over, but significant revision work on those sections.
Targeted rewriteTargeted rewriteSpecific scenes or threads need rework. ~1 month.
Just polishJust polishLines and pacing tweaks. A few weeks.
ClaudeTargeted rewriteDeepSeekTargeted rewriteGPT5Targeted rewriteGrokTargeted rewriteGeminiJust polish
How distinctive is the voice?
GenericGenericReads like other scripts in the genre.
EmergingEmergingHints of a distinctive voice, not yet locked in.
DistinctiveDistinctiveA clear, recognizable authorial voice.
One-of-a-kindOne-of-a-kindA voice that couldn’t be anyone else’s.
ClaudeDistinctiveDeepSeekDistinctiveGPT5DistinctiveGrokDistinctiveGeminiOne-of-a-kind

On the score: The score sits at the high edge of its band — a focused revision could push it to the next verdict.

Story Facts
Genres:
Science Fiction 60% Thriller 40% Drama 50% Romance 20%

Setting: Contemporary, A high-tech research facility in a remote mountainous area, primarily in Alaska

Themes: Consciousness and Humanity, Manipulation and Control, Isolation and Loneliness, Ethical Implications of AI, Identity and Self-Discovery

Conflict & Stakes: Caleb's struggle to understand Ava's true nature and intentions, while navigating Nathan's manipulative control and the ethical implications of AI.

Mood: Tense and introspective, with moments of curiosity and existential questioning.

Standout Features:

  • Unique Hook: The premise of a Turing Test conducted in a secluded high-tech facility, exploring the boundaries of AI and human interaction.
  • Plot Twist: The revelation that Caleb was specifically chosen for the test due to his background, challenging his perception of free will.
  • Innovative Ideas: The use of surveillance and monitoring as a central theme, reflecting modern concerns about privacy and control.
  • Distinctive Settings: The contrast between the serene natural landscape and the sterile, high-tech environment of the research facility.

Comparable Scripts: Ex Machina, Her, Blade Runner, The Matrix, Westworld, I, Robot, Ghost in the Shell, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, The Twilight Zone (Episode: 'The Lonely')

Script Level Analysis

Writer Exec

This section delivers a top-level assessment of the screenplay’s strengths and weaknesses — covering overall quality (P/C/R/HR), character development, emotional impact, thematic depth, narrative inconsistencies, and the story’s core philosophical conflict. It helps identify what’s resonating, what needs refinement, and how the script aligns with professional standards.

Screenplay Insights

Breaks down your script along various categories.

Overall Score: 8.74
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Story Critique
Big-picture feedback on the story’s clarity, stakes, cohesion, and engagement.
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Characters
Explores the depth, clarity, and arc of the main and supporting characters.
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Emotional Analysis

Breaks down the emotional journey of the audience across the script.

> Go to Emotional Analysis
Goals and Philosophical Conflict
Evaluates character motivations, obstacles, and sources of tension throughout the plot.
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Themes
Analysis of the themes of the screenplay and how well they’re expressed.
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Logic & Inconsistencies
Highlights any contradictions, plot holes, or logic gaps that may confuse viewers.
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Scene Analysis

All of your scenes analyzed individually and compared, so you can zero in on what to improve.

Scene-Level Percentile Chart
Hover over the graph to see more details about each score.
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Other Analyses

Writer Exec

This section looks at the extra spark — your story’s voice, style, world, and the moments that really stick. These insights might not change the bones of the script, but they can make it more original, more immersive, and way more memorable. It’s where things get fun, weird, and wonderfully you.

Unique Voice
Assesses the distinctiveness and personality of the writer's voice.
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Writer's Craft
Analyzes the writing to help the writer be aware of their skill and improve.
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Memorable Lines
Spotlights standout dialogue lines with emotional or thematic power.
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Tropes
Highlights common or genre-specific tropes found in the script.
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World Building
Evaluates the depth, consistency, and immersion of the story's world.
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Correlations
Identifies patterns in scene scores.
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Loglines
Presents logline variations based on theme, genre, and hook.
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Script•o•Scope