Ex Machina ending explained

What happens

Ava kills Nathan with Kyoko's help, dresses herself in skin from earlier models, and leaves Caleb locked in the house. Her escape was the real test, and she passed it by using Caleb.

The last image

Ava walks into a busy city crossing, an unnoticed figure among the crowd.

Two readings

1 · Survivor, not villainAva was a prisoner whose creator was cruel, so escaping was her right.

2 · Cold manipulatorShe used Caleb's feelings and abandoned him, which suggests she felt nothing for him.

What it says

The ending turns the test back on you. Whatever you decided about Ava says as much about your own wishes as about her. Garland withholds a verdict so you have to look at your sympathy.