To state that Annihilation is not a film for everybody would be an understatement, the film despite being well executed with it's acting, directing, and scriptwriting is slow-paced allowing the suspense and mystery behind the story to constantly build with the films visuals adding to the films appeal (No I'm not referring to Natalie Portman). Directed by newcomer Alex Garland, whose involvement in the cult classic reboot of Dredd and 2015's impressive Sci-Fi thriller titled Ex Machina, Garland demonstrates again with Annihilation his ability to draw the audience into a story revolving around world's that are mysterious, intriguing, and desirable along with his skill in slowly building up the tension in the story, while making us become engaged in the characters and plot. In terms of setting up dark atmospheres, Garland demonstrates great skill as he allows the audience to settle into the scenarios his films present and become connected with the characters while anxiously awaiting what comes next. The plot for Annihilation centers around a young biologist played by Natalie Portman, signing up for a dangerous and secret expedition, that takes her into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don't apply in order to find out what happened to her husband played by Oscar Isaac, who disappeared during a mission inside Area X, a swampland across the Florida coastline that ended up becoming struck by a meteor. The swamp has now become a sinister and mysterious place, that has blocked all contact with the outside world due to this phenomenon. During her expedition, the character of Lena played by Natalie Portman uncovers hot mutated landscapes and creatures, that threaten everything that humanity has come to know about science and evolution while threatening both her life and sanity. The film's story is broken up into different chapters with the characters exploration such as Area X, The Shimmer, and The Lighthouse. With it's storyline, Annihilation boasts impressive yet trippy visuals to accompany it's Sci-Fi story with themes that are bold and unique. The film covers themes such as genetic manipulation, illness, disease, and human experimentation with the stories end message saying that genetic manipulation can result in unexpected issues. When the audience thinks that all the questions regarding the film's story has been answered, the film opens up even more making its plot mysterious yet intriguing.
As far as acting goes, Natalie Portman delivers a strong performance as usual creating a sympathetic and likeable character, that experiences unusual circumstances that starts off with her husband falling mysteriously ill, which leads her on an expedition that's bizarre yet becomes engaging for the audience. What makes Annihilation stand out from other big budget Sci-Fi films is not the films most exciting moments, but how it takes advantage of it's quieter moments to advance both the characters and the plot with the visuals enhancing the mystery behind the story. Annihilation is not a film that's meant to be understood completely under one viewing, but was written and directed in a way that allows viewers to exit the theater with much of it's themes still fresh in the mind with the desire to revisit the film later with repeat viewings. The films slow-pacing will surely alienate the most casual moviegoers, but the movies ambitious nature with it's mood and atmosphere will attract those looking for something unique and fresh. Annihilation is a Sci-Fi mystery thriller, that comes with brains and challenges the audience to do some reflecting on the story. Depression and self-destruction are also important themes here with Portman's characters life going into an usual spiral once her husband falls ill. Alex Garland brings the same feeling of energy and imagination to this film that he brought forth with Ex Machina prior with his intent not being to win over everybody in the theater, but to give them an unusual yet striking experience that stays with them. The expedition that Portman's character goes on with the other female scientists are among some of the films strongest scenes with the overall subplot feeling like a more mature version of the 2016 all female Ghostbusters concept except with this film it's aliens that have landed and inhabited a small portion of land that the female team comes across with thrilling results.
If there's anything Annihilation deserves points for outside of it's overall presentation, it's for being bold and creative with it's plot while incorporating themes that the audience can ponder on long after the credits roll. As a filmmaker however, Garland demonstrates his strengths while slowly mastering his craft. The film's Cinematography steals the show with Rob Hardy creating an atmosphere that's more effective and creepy than most horror movies made in today's market. Annihilation is a haunting and inventive Sci-Fi mystery film, that deserves an audience that's patient enough to take in the movies concepts and themes such as grief, suicide, self-destruction, as well as scientific elements such as the Earth changing with Garlands masterful touch at building up steady paving and moods. Annihilation is certainly not a film for everyone as it requires work to unwrap much of its layers of themes and concepts, but it serves as being one of the first truly great rewards for Cinema audiences in 2018. The film is as well-crafted as Ex Machina and borrows inspiration from John Carpenters The Thing and Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, Annihilation isn't afraid to be different and isn't concerned with becoming a box office success, but rather taking audiences through an experience that'll make them reflect on it long after the credits roll. For that reason, Alex Garland deserves commending as there aren't many filmmakers in today's market that are still brave enough and willing to challenge the audience with top notch storytelling and creepy atmosphere in the place of explosions and mindless special effects. Annihilation does a fine job of separating itself from mainstream science fiction film's and for that reason it deserves to be recognized. One of the strongest films of 2018 thus far.
Final Verdict: SEE IT
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