How Red, Blue, and Green Visuals Reinforce Ava’s Artificial Nature: 'Ex Machina' Sci-Fi Narrative

One of the film’s visual motifs is the prominent use of the colors red, blue, and green throughout its scenes. These colors appear in various elements: the lush green forest surrounding the research facility, the red brick hallway where much of the story unfolds, and the keypad that controls Ava’s environment, which features red and blue buttons. This deliberate color scheme serves as a visual nod to the RGB color model, a fundamental system used in electronic displays such as computer screens, televisions, and digital imaging devices.

The RGB model combines red, green, and blue light to produce a broad spectrum of colors in digital images. In Ex Machina, this connection underscores Ava’s identity as an advanced computer or digital entity — her existence is rooted in electronic systems that rely on RGB technology. The use of these colors subtly emphasizes her artificial nature while also highlighting her central role in the narrative as a creation of human engineering.

This color symbolism enhances the film’s themes by visually linking Ava to the digital world she inhabits. It also creates a cohesive aesthetic that reminds viewers of the technological foundation underlying her consciousness. Overall, the strategic use of red, blue, and green throughout Ex Machina not only enriches its visual storytelling but also deepens its exploration of artificial intelligence and human perception.