The Completist’s Guide to Streaming Alex Garland Movies

by

This piece was first released on April 12, 2024, but has been revised to incorporate Alex Garland‘s new movie, Warfare. Our initial assessment of Oscar Isaac’s intense attractiveness in Ex Machina remains unaltered over this period.

Contrary to previous assumptions, Alex Garland did not step away from filmmaking. In fact, following the success of his movie “Civil War”, he also didn’t abandon war-themed films. This is exciting news, as Garland’s movies, whether you admire or criticize them, are always thought-provoking. The same can be said for his latest release this week, titled “Warfare”.

Although Garland has only directed five films, his filmography is more extensive than it seems because he’s been involved in 12 movies since his early collaborations with Danny Boyle. His films are often recognized for their deep psychological exploration and ambitious genre blending. The plots of his movies, whether they revolve around a spaceship facing the sun or an ecological anomaly undergoing rapid change, mirror the internal struggles of their characters through stunning visual effects. Given that Garland’s latest work has been released, it’s a perfect opportunity to revisit all his previous projects, from “Dredd” to “Devs”, and stream everything he’s ever worked on.

Movies Directed (or Almost Directed) by Alex Garland

Dredd (2012)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=JqqgrUna28w

In this case, Pete Travis was the one who initially directed the film adaptation of the British sci-fi comic strip “Judge Dredd.” However, Alex Garland took over the project during post-production and effectively completed it. He contributed so extensively that he nearly sought co-director credit, which led to disagreements between the two, some of which were reported in the Hollywood press. Karl Urban, who starred in the film, views “Dredd” as Garland’s directorial debut, stating that much of its success is due to him. This endorsement from Urban is quite significant. The movie “Dredd,” set in a dystopian future where judges exercise power and violence without restraint, stands out among superhero films, and it surpasses the 1990s adaptation starring Sly Stallone, “Judge Dredd.

Dredd
Stream on Max

Ex Machina (2014)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=bggUmgeMCdc

Even a decade later, the role of Oscar Isaac in Ex Machina remains one of his most intense and captivating. This film serves as a surprisingly relevant watch today, given the ongoing discussions about artificial intelligence. The narrative revolves around a tech CEO, reminiscent of Jack Dorsey, who tasks one of his employees with determining if a seductive robot is truly conscious. As it delves into philosophical thought experiments, Ex Machina stands out as one of Alex Garland‘s most intellectually stimulating films. In fact, upon its release, the critic Anil Seth from NewScientist wrote that “Emerging from it, I felt fortunate to be a neuroscientist. Here is a film that is better because of, not despite, its engagement with its intellectual inspiration.” Notably, an open-shirted dance scene in the movie sparked numerous memes.

Ex Machina
Rent on VOD

Annihilation (2018)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=89OP78l9oF0

In my opinion, Alex Garland‘s standout work, “Annihilation,” is a film adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer’s book by the same name. It’s a chilling journey into a transformed environment dominated by thick vegetation, genetically altered creatures, and a vibrant light known as the “Shimmer.” The movie’s music is a disquieting mix of eerie choirs, mesmerizing drones, and soothing acoustic guitars – an exploration of the unusual that fails to provide stability for the visually chaotic scenes. Essentially, “Annihilation” embodies sci-fi horror in its atmosphere, possibly because Garland based his adaptation on his recollections of VanderMeer’s text. It might make you question your decision to consume edibles. However, scenes like the final battle and the encounter with the bear make it a rewarding experience.

Annihilation
stream on Paramount+

Men (2022)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=pt81CJcWZy8

As a devoted admirer, I must confess that Garland’s latest offering, “Men,” feels like a misstep, albeit an intriguing one. It weaves elements of pagan mythology, anime, and the Garden of Eden into its narrative, yet, as Angelica Jade Bastién of Vulture eloquently points out, “Despite all the fractured bodies, brutal deaths, and rivers of blood, the central concept behind ‘Men’ lacks the audacity to instill true fear.” It undeniably bears his distinctive imprint, but perhaps the lukewarm critical and box office response has influenced his recent contemplations about retirement.

Men
Rent on VOD

Civil War (2024)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=c2G18nIVpNE

Civil War” is not strictly about a civil war, although it depicts one, but rather it serves as a backdrop for the story of a group of journalists tirelessly pursuing news amidst the chaos of a nation falling apart. The political aspects of the conflict remain largely unexplored, with the focus instead on the turmoil that envelops the country while the journalists strive to bring truth to light. Garland, whose father was a newsman, aimed to portray these brave reporters as heroes for their work in the heart of conflicts. The film deviates from Garland’s usual sci-fi genre and offers a grittier, more authentic perspective, which may not be a flaw, but rather an intriguing shift in his artistic direction.

Civil War
Stream on Max

Warfare

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw

Critic Bilge Ebiri notes that the latest film by director Garland, jointly directed with ex-Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza, is a valiant effort challenging the common belief that no movie can be truly anti-war. The depicted atrocities are graphic and significant due to their resemblance to the violence Mendoza experienced during the Iraq War, lending an emotional intensity that Garland’s Civil War lacked – a fascinating sequel without a doubt.

Warfare
In theaters

Movies Garland Wrote or Produced

28 Days Later (2002)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=7suz9ndPBHg

28 Days Later, directed by Danny Boyle, stands out as one of the most impactful zombie films from the past 25 years. It revitalized the horror genre with its raw, early-digital cinematography and the energetic incorporation of Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s “East Hastings” in John Murphy’s score. The fast-moving zombies also added a unique twist. However, it owes its existence to Alex Garland‘s story, which was influenced by timeless classics such as Night of the Living Dead and Resident Evil.

28 Days Later
Rent on VOD

Sunshine (2007)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=gAYzdeanpo8

Embarking on a perilous journey, I join seven other astronauts in hurtling towards the sun with the daring objective of reigniting it. Yet, as we traverse the cosmos, tensions escalate among us, straining our bonds under the ominous threat of incandescent oblivion. The narrative of ‘Sunshine’ draws influence from the enigmatic ‘Solaris’, the looming specter of the heat death of the universe, and Bill Bryson’s captivating ‘A Short History of Nearly Everything’. Directed by Danny Boyle, this cinematic masterpiece showcases an amalgamation of these inspirations into one of the most daring, claustrophobic sci-fi films of the 21st century. As we delve deeper into our mission, it’s thrilling to witness actors like Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans, and Michelle Yeoh engaging in electrifying interactions.

Sunshine
Rent on VOD

28 Weeks Later (2007)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=0gGbaXqbAVo

The challenge of surpassing the instant viral sensation “28 Days” was undoubtedly tough, but the sequel manages to preserve the terrifying essence of the original. Although Garland mainly influenced it through suggestions (he and Boyle served as executive producers while others wrote and directed), he has referred to it as “not subversive” without elaborating on the term. Nevertheless, it remains a significant piece in his filmmaking portfolio. He’s admitted that it was financially successful, and since rumored to have conceived a third film over a decade ago, he’s become more guarded about the franchise. As of the most recent updates, Garland plans to write “28 Years Later” and Boyle will direct, similar to their roles in the first installment.

28 Weeks Later
Rent on VOD

Never Let Me Go (2010)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=sXiRZhDEo8A

As a devoted admirer, I found that Kazuo Ishiguro’s poignant tale of a cloning love triangle served as an exceptional basis for his friend Garland to bring to life on the silver screen. Directed by visionary Mark Romanek, who is renowned for his work in music videos, this film exudes his signature style – filmed on 35mm Kodak film stock, which imbues its sci-fi setting with a captivating, nostalgic charm. Without giving away the intricate plot, let me just say that clones feature prominently in this movie, making it a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be human, the nature of art, and the complexities of love.

Never Let Me Go
Rent on VOD

Movies Based on Garland’s Books

The Beach (2000)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=7vSsx1RkGls

In the aftermath of Leonardo DiCaprio’s meteoric rise to Hollywood stardom following the success of Titanic, there remained an era of his career that was less polished, prior to working with directors like Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. During this time, the film adaptation of The Beach failed to live up to the novel’s potential. Although it garnered Leo a Razzie nomination, it wasn’t entirely a loss as it introduced him to director Danny Boyle and producer Andrew Macdonald, with whom he later established long-term collaborations.

The Beach
Rent on VOD

The Tesseract (2003)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=5Z2HlvlrGmI

In the style of a Garland novel inspired by his travels in Southeast Asia, “The Tesseract” is an action-packed reinterpretation of the movie “Crash”. Imagine a story where the lives of a drug smuggler, a hitman, a psychologist, and a hotel staff member become entwined through a complex sequence of incidents. Directed by Oxide Pang and scripted by Pang and Patrick Neate, “The Tesseract” subtly explores some of Garland’s initial themes such as determinism, fate, and human behavior. However, the filmmakers’ attempts to convey these ideas were not persuasive to critics, making it a rare gem from early 2000s cinema that is now challenging to find.

The Tesseract
Buy on DVD

The TV Show

Devs (2020)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Fp9LMsI6uJ8

Garland’s sole television series evolved from a doubt towards technology and personal freedom. Similar to the film Ex Machina, it serves as an allegory questioning the excessive influence of tech corporations over our lives. However, unlike its predecessor, it distributes its revelations over eight episodes, which can at times feel “exasperatingly cryptic,” according to critic Jen Chaney. It encapsulates Garland at his quintessentially Garland style, and regardless of whether one admires or criticizes him, that might be sufficient.

Devs
stream on hulu

Read More

2025-04-11 23:57