Ex Machina's Beer Choice: Brand Placement Or Character Insight?

In the film Ex Machina, the character Nathan, played by Oscar Isaac, is often seen drinking beer. The beer is fictional and called Keikaku, which means plan in Japanese. This is a subtle allusion to the plans that the three main characters have for themselves and others. The beer is in a dark bottle and has a silver label.

Keikaku beer is fictional

Keikaku is not a real beer brand, but a fictional Japanese beer created specifically for the film. The word "Keikaku" translates to "according to plan" or "just as planned", which is a fitting name given the themes of artificial intelligence and the hubris of the extraordinarily wealthy in the film.

Alcohol plays a significant role in Ex Machina, as Nathan, a narcissistic CEO of a search engine conglomerate, often drinks to lower his inhibitions and facilitate conversations about his work. He uses alcohol as a social lubricant in his interactions with Caleb, as he struggles with social cues and praise. The drinking also serves as a way for Nathan to connect with nature and his goals, as he often drinks outdoors in his isolated compound, surrounded by nature.

The use of a fictional beer brand with a meaningful name adds another layer of symbolism and subtlety to the film, enhancing the viewer's experience and understanding of the characters' motivations and plans.

It means according to plan in Japanese

In the film Ex Machina, the beer that the characters are drinking is called Keikaku, a fictional Japanese beer. The word "keikaku" means "plan" in Japanese, and the full phrase "keikaku doori" means "according to plan".

The phrase "keikaku doori" is comprised of two Japanese words: "keikaku", meaning "plan", and "doori", which is a more complicated word. "Doori" is usually written and pronounced as "toori", which is a conjugation of the verb "tooru", meaning "to pass through". "Toori" can be translated as a "way" or "street", but it can also be used to describe a way to reach a certain destination, and in this context, it can be interpreted as "according to".

Therefore, the full phrase "keikaku doori" can be translated as "according to plan". This phrase has been popularised in anime and manga, particularly in the series Death Note, where the main character utters the memorable catchphrase, "Just As Planned". The phrase has also been used in parodies and memes, often with the translation note that "keikaku" means "plan".

In the film Ex Machina, the character Nathan uses alcohol as a coping mechanism and a social lubricant. He is often seen drinking beer or vodka during his interactions with Caleb, and he even gets drunk by himself in his room. Nathan's drinking can be seen as a way to lower his inhibitions and achieve a level of honesty that is uncomfortable for him when sober.

Nathan uses alcohol as a social lubricant

In the film Ex Machina, Nathan (Oscar Isaac) relies on alcohol as a social lubricant in his interactions with Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson). From the outset, alcohol is a constant presence, with Nathan offering Caleb something to drink when they first meet, and citing a hangover as the reason for his lack of appetite. As the film progresses, we see Nathan drinking beer or vodka during his conversations with Caleb, using alcohol to lower his inhibitions and facilitate discussion about his work. This is particularly noticeable when Caleb finds Nathan drunk in his room, with a beer, in front of a Pollock painting.

Nathan's isolated location, which he describes as "claustrophobic" and "a research facility," coupled with his ego and apparent lack of social cues, contribute to his reliance on alcohol as a coping mechanism. He seems to need alcohol to voice his true opinions, such as when he tells Caleb that AI will eventually take over and leave humans obsolete. This statement, made while drunk in nature, also speaks to Nathan's violation of the natural order, as he creates artificial intelligence to supersede human evolution.

The presence of alcohol in the film is significant, often accompanying discussions about the Turing tests, the results, and the potential consequences of AI overtaking the human race. Nathan's drinking is not just a casual act but is integral to the exploration of the film's themes and the characters' interactions. It is worth noting that the beer label reads "Keikaku," which means "plan" in Japanese, alluding to the characters' plans and schemes.

The beer is drunk during intense conversations

In the film Ex Machina, the character Nathan (played by Oscar Isaac) is often seen drinking beer during intense conversations with Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson). The beer, with its dark bottles and silver labels, is a fictional brand called Keikaku, which means "plan" in Japanese. This is fitting, as all three main characters—Caleb, Nathan, and Ava—have their own plans and agendas, scheming against each other throughout the film.

Nathan, a narcissistic CEO of a search engine company, uses alcohol as a coping mechanism and a social lubricant. He struggles with social cues and inhibitions, and alcohol helps him open up during conversations about his work and his creation of artificial intelligence. The drinking also serves as a way for him to connect with nature, as he often retreats to isolated locations for drinking, describing his surroundings as "claustrophobic" and "a research facility."

During one drinking session with Caleb, Nathan reveals his opinion on the future of artificial intelligence, stating that one day, AI will overtake humans and render them obsolete. He also discloses that he based Ava's appearance on Caleb's porn preferences, an invasion of privacy made possible by his position as a CEO.

The beer plays a subtle but significant role in the film, acting as a catalyst for intense conversations and revealing a deeper layer to Nathan's character. It highlights his need to escape the isolation of his compound, his struggle to connect with others, and his attempt to come to terms with the potential consequences of his work in artificial intelligence.

The label alludes to the characters' plans

In the film Ex Machina, the character Nathan (played by Oscar Isaac) is often seen drinking beer with the main character Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson). During one such scene, viewers noticed that the label on the beer bottle reads "Keikaku", which means "plan" in Japanese. This is a subtle allusion to the plans and schemes that the characters have for themselves and each other.

Nathan, a narcissist with an inflated ego, is the CEO of a search engine conglomerate. He lives in isolation in a compound that is a helicopter ride away from civilisation. He uses alcohol as a coping mechanism and a social lubricant in his interactions with Caleb, as he discusses his work on artificial intelligence.

Caleb, on the other hand, is an employee of Nathan's company, tasked with administering the Turing Test to the android Ava (Alicia Vikander). He forms a plan with Ava to stop Nathan's abuses and eventually escape from his mansion.

The beer label "Keikaku" is thus a clever hint at the underlying schemes and plans of the characters in Ex Machina, adding an extra layer of depth to the film.

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