Alex Garland has been reshaping contemporary science fiction with his movies and TV shows. The author-director’s mind-bending storytelling is his signature style.
His journey began in the early 2000s as a screenwriter collaborating with filmmaker Danny Boyle on iconic movies like 28 Days Later (2002) and Sunshine (2007). His unique zombie narratives focusing on space crises have always garnered him critical acclaim and have resulted in more hits like Dredd (2012) and Never Let Me Go (2010).
Over the years Garland seamlessly transitioned from writer to director and a classic example of his cinematic brilliance shines through in his latest outing Civil War (2024). While the movie has performed well at the box office, it has also stirred controversy since its premiere at SXSW (South by Southwest) 2024.
Civil War showcases a fractured United States embroiled in a second civil war, inviting criticism from some sections of the audience for its politically neutral stance.
Amidst controversy, rumours about Garland stepping away from directing more films for an unforeseeable future are doing the rounds, making it the right time for us to explore movies and TV shows by Alex Garland that every sci-fi fan must binge-watch.
The best Alex Garland movies and TV shows to add to your watchlist
Mostly set against the backdrop of societal unrest, Alex Garland’s movies and TV shows explore sci-fi themes that are provocative and passionate; stories that reel in audiences’ minds long after the credits roll. Here’s a look at Garland’s filmography that will keep you hooked on one movie after another…
Ex Machina (2014)
Release date: 24 April 2015
Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Alicia Vikander
Runtime: 108 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Ex Machina is one of Alex Garland’s most promising movies, a masterpiece, garnering widespread acclaim and earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Despite the Oscars’ historical reluctance towards honouring science fiction, Ex Machina broke through with its gripping narrative on the evolution of artificial intelligence, resonating deeply with audiences and critics alike. In addition to the screenplay nomination, it also took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
The film is a captivating tale of moral ambiguity, centred around tech prodigy Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) and his enigmatic employer Nathan (Oscar Isaac). As Caleb delves into the enigma of Ava (Alicia Vikander), an AI with startling human-like qualities, he finds himself drawn into a web of deception and desire, where the boundaries between man and machine blur with unsettling ease.
Released in 2014, the film still remains as relevant as ever, with its exploration of AI’s ethical complexities and the blurred lines between humanity and technology striking a chord with contemporary audiences. Garland’s masterful direction invites viewers to think about consciousness and identity, weaving a narrative that echoes the spirit of classic sci-fi while carving out its unique path.
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Annihilation (2018)
Release date: 22 February 2018
Cast: Natalie Portman, Gina Rodriguez, Oscar Isaac
Runtime: 115 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 88%
Annihilation offers an engrossing narrative of mystery and intrigue that keeps the audience hooked from beginning to end. Released to critical acclaim, the film is a cinematic enigma that invites viewers to peel back its layers and delve into its mind-twisting depths. Garland’s deft touch as both writer and director is evident in every frame, as he crafts a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and myth, leaving audiences mesmerised.
At the core of Annihilation lies a moving human tale of loss and transformation. As Lena (Natalie Portman) embarks on a journey into the heart of ‘The Shimmer’ in search of answers about her husband’s (Oscar Isaac) mysterious disappearance, she confronts her inner demons and discovers truths that challenge reality.
Drawing inspiration from science fiction classics such as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Stalker, Garland creates a visual feast for the senses, immersing viewers in a world of beauty and existential dread replete with the haunting landscapes of ‘The Shimmer’ and the eerie silence that pervades its atmosphere.
‘Devs’ (2020)
Release date: 22 February 2018
Cast: Sonoya Mizuno, Karl Glusman, and Nick Offerman
Number of episodes: 8
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%
Next on the list of the best Alex Garland movies and TV shows is the 2020 miniseries Devs. The show may come across as a typical murder mystery, but much like Annihilation, it actually has a deeper layer of exploring themes of grief and trauma.
Devs follows the software developer Lily Chan (Sonoya Mizuno) during her experience working at ‘Devs,’ a secretive tech giant within Silicon Valley led by its formidable creator Forest (Nick Offerman). As the story progresses Lily uses the opportunity to find reasons for the death of her boyfriend Sergei (Karl Glusman), who died under mysterious circumstances on his first day working for the company. What unravels is a gripping tale of love, loss and professional pursuits.
Spanned across 8 episodes, the TV show seems like a long yet intriguing 8-hour movie. With the extended runtime, the director had the freedom to allow the characters to hold extended conversations about their feelings and in the process, address some of the pressing issues that the audience may be facing themselves.
Men (2022)
Release date: 20 May 2022
Cast: Jessie Buckley, Gayle Rankin and Rory Kinnear
Runtime: 100 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 69%
The 2022 film Men is a fine example of quarantine filmmaking and Alex Garland’s commitment to finishing a project even in the trying times. The movie is a chilling exploration of isolation and unease set against the backdrop of a remote English village. Led by the talented Jessie Buckley, the film’s plot revolves around a woman grappling with personal tragedy, only to find herself stuck in a web of evil forces lurking within the confines of the village.
Garland’s signature style is evident throughout Men, from its atmospheric cinematography to its nerve-jangling score by Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow. As Buckley’s character — Harper Marlowe — navigates the sinister machinations of the village’s male inhabitants, the film unfolds as a harrowing tale of suspense and dread.
With Garland’s compelling exploration of the grotesqueness of men, the film shocks and provokes, cementing its place as a noteworthy entry in the genre of horror movies.
Civil War (2024)
Release date: 12 April 2024
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Nick Offerman, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Sonoya Mizuno
Number of episodes: 8
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
One of the best Alex Garland movies to date is his latest release Civil War. The A24 production follows the story of four journalists (Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura and Stephen McKinley Henderson) who travel from New York City to Washington D.C. in pursuit of an interview with the tyrannical US president (Nick Offerman). The movie is set in an undetermined future war backdrop where successionist factions are going against the United States and the threat of death looms large on the authoritarian president.
A box office hit, the movie is an entertainer as it offers a series of impressive action sequences and a snappy and satirical social commentary on a serious topic. Backed by an amazing soundtrack and terrific performances, Civil War is Garland working on a bigger canvas yet sticking to the themes and situations that have captivated his imagination from the very beginning.
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(Header and feature image courtesy: IMDb/Civil War/Ex Machina)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which is the best movie directed by Alex Garland?
It is highly subjective and depends on the viewers’ preference but his directorial debut Ex Machina and his latest release Civil War are touted to be his best works.
– Which is the highest-ranked movie directed by Alex Garland?
Alex Garland’s directorial debut Ex Machina (2014) boasts the highest IMDb rating of 7.7 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%.
