[ahoho]

I think that if OP finds The Matrix too adult, Ex Machina is even less appropriate.

Her is a good recommendation but I struggle to imagine a 12 year old identifying well with alienated-middle-aged-man-malaise ;) (although I loved Lost in Translation at 14 or so)

Arrival is a great recommendation. I had some quibbles with its science, but it’s good Sci Fi. Then he can introduce him to Ted Chiang’s other writing

[gonehome]

Ex Machina has some nudity, but less gun violence? It’s a lot more idea driven than action/violence driven (matrix). And the themes are different. Depends on what people culturally mean as adult I suppose.

[bawolff]

Its been a while, but isn't the main theme sexual slavery? I could understand why people consider that adult.

[apecat]

I admittedly don't have kids, but media is so saturated and oversexualized that I personally feel that thought-provoking fiction that dissects and critiques urges is possible and good to explore at some point, in safe company, ammended with brief discussion. I'm certainly thankful I got offered these conversations.

That said, Ex Machina might be a little intense in that regard, even though I seem to remember that the explicity is mostly some nudity. It's a great movie, but probably not the first or fifth I would show a 12-year-old with the above discursive parameters included. The themes of corruption and "fucking around and finding out" are so heavy that you don't want to just leave a child with it.

It could be your tenth pick, though, or perhaps something for 6-18 months on of successfully watching and discussing movies and their depiction of life in an open way.

[gonehome]

Not really? Main theme is a general intelligence that’s not aligned with you may trick or deceive you.