Annihilation

⭐ 8.5/10

(Originally written by Tim)

Another movie I have had on the list forever, because I love everything else Alex Garland has done but this one looked too freaky. And boy is it freaky! Natalie Portman is a scientist investigating The Shimmer, and weird alien zone that is growing and no one comes out of it alive. Her husband is played by Oscar Isaac in this one, so you know its gonna be good.

Not much to say about this one, since it feels kind of unexplainable, but the science of the phenomenon goes in one ear and out the other, while the experiences she has are unsettling and alien. The mystery of it all is at the core of the movie, until the last 20 minutes when that is all thrown out and it becomes purely sensory. I have no idea what happened, but it reminded me of 2001 A Space Odyssey, where humankind crosses some unknown barrier into some other existence and the story is doing its best to portray that on screen. It is bizarre, and freaky, and unforgettable.

I don't love Portman, I usually think she is kind of wooden, but that was perfect here. She is in every scene, and her stoic and confident character guides you fearlessly through this encounter with the unknown. I wish I could explain what I think this movie is trying to say, and I did think it was a bit corny when all the characters in the crew lay out their own experience of "annihilation". There is also a twist ending that was unclear and I don't know what the point of it was in either direction. Probably something about rebirth and human evolution or something.

Anyways, this movie was a trip, and Alex Garland has a perfect score in my books. My ordering right now would be Devs, Ex Machina, then this, although they all seem to be of a piece. His next movie comes out this year, but again, looks to be way too scary for me. I'll report back in 4 years.