My brain has been “annihilated” by Alex Garland’s Annihilation (2018) — in a good way!
Has is been a while since you’ve seen a legitimately terrifying film? Are you burnt out on all the formulaic horror movies you’ve been watching lately? In need of a story that is equal parts thought-provoking, beautiful, and completely confusing? Then Alex Garland’s award-winning sci-fi thriller, Annihilation is the film for you.
Going into this film, I honestly had no idea what it was about. I was pretty sure it had something to do with science fiction or aliens, but I would have never predicted what this film had in store for me before watching. I honestly think that is the best way to go into this film — being totally in the dark — because it makes the viewing experience much more authentic, shocking, and suspenseful. So I’ll try not to spoil too much for anyone who hasn’t seen it, because I want everyone to go watch it and be just as perplexed and impressed as I was by this film.
The following may contain spoilers.
We begin our story with Lena (Natalie Portman), an ex-military biologist whose husband (Oscar Isaac) has gone missing after embarking on a classified military assignment. He reappears one year later in an obvious state of confusion and ill health. Lena learns that his assignment had been to enter the site of a catastrophic, unexplained phenomenon that the military refers to as “The Shimmer” — a place where no one ever goes in and no one every goes out (you know, a classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory situation). Joined by the program head (Jennifer Jason Lee) and three other female experts (Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, and Tuva Novotny), Lena ventures into “The Shimmer” to figure out what happened to her husband while he was there. *I honestly didn’t even know this much about it before watching.*
Not only is this film well-written, effectively suspenseful, and fairly scary, it is also visually and audibly beautiful. Every shot has a misty, ominous tone that is only made more apparent when contrasted by colorful objects within The Shimmer. Creatures and monsters lurk within, and the designs of these creatures are impressive. They are definitely scary and disturbing. There is no overuse of CGI — which is very refreshing. Other interesting visual effects are used later in the film, and they are honestly just mesmerizing to look at. My favorite thing, however, is the film score, written by Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow. I can only describe it as what I think it would sound like to be inside of a spaceship. Nonetheless, it is so unique.
A huge selling point for this film is also how great it is for diversity. The primary cast is made up of female experts of different ethnic backgrounds and strengths. Nothing about the way these women are portrayed ever seems stereotypical or in poor taste. We see interracial relationships portrayed. We even get the luxury of ending the story with a strong final girl…or do we? (Insert ominous sound here).
I was so blown away by this film that I strongly urge anyone even remotely interested to watch it, because I don’t think you will be disappointed. Annihilation is a masterful, diverse film that deserves the attention of your eyeballs.
