Since its 2018 debut, Alex Garland’s Annihilation piqued my interest. Sci-fi with some ooky-spooky leanings, a woman-led mission into the world of said ooky-spooky leanings, and my favorite part of the Star Wars Episodes I-III– Queen Amidala herself. It was a trifecta of success! Yet, for some reason, I only just recently saw it for the first time. I sat on my couch, watching the credits roll, in silence. Turning to my husband, I said, “Well, that was weird.” He nodded, returning the sentiment that it was, in fact, weird.
Annihilation follows Lena (Natalie Portman), a former United States Army soldier and current cellular biology professor. After someone near and dear to her returns from a growing quarantine zone called “the Shimmer,” she embarks on a mission with a group of scientists into the center of this phenomenon, knowing that no other reconnaissance group has returned intact. Led by psychologist Dr. Ventress (Jennifer Jason Leigh), the group of women moves deeper and deeper into the Shimmer, encountering a variety of mutated animals and plants. As time passes, a growing fear persists amongst the women that the powers of the Shimmer are beginning to change each of them.
The world-building within the Shimmer is extraordinary. Vibrant, mutated flowers cover vast areas of the quarantine zone, and the different animals found within are all unique and interesting. Visually, it is a stunning movie. The beauty of the mutations balances with the ever-present tone and tension that something is not quite right. As the tension grows, so does the reality that this group of investigators is in danger. The movie does a nice job of bolstering this eerie undercurrent with more horror-leaning elements throughout.
My one criticism of this movie is that I think it almost tries to do too much. There are themes of grief, depression, and, namely, self-destruction, that I don’t feel get enough exploration if they are meant to be so integral to the story. Ultimately, this is an enjoyable movie to watch. The characters, while not deeply well-developed, are interesting and, at times, compelling to watch. The landscape of the Shimmer is, again, unique and beautiful to see, and the tension builds nicely as more of the Shimmer’s purpose is unearthed.
Annihilation
2018
dir. Alex Garland
115 min.
Screens Saturday, 4/18, 11:59pm @ Coolidge Corner Theatre
Part of the midnight repertory series Organic Panic 2: Perennials of Pain
