Review of Annihilation (2018) by Purple C — 13 Mar 2018

Directed by Alex Garland, Annihilation is a dark sci-fi with a lot of thought provoking moments and disturbing imagery. An unknown presence has appeared, known as a shimmer, many military groups have gone in but none have come out and the area it covers is slowly expanding. When a survivor manages to escape a new group decides to head into the shimmer and discover what is at its root.

It's hard to talk about Annihilation without spoiling key plot points and impactful moments so I won't linger on the premise but the whole idea of the shimmer and what we learn within it is extremely thought provoking, unique and great to sink your teeth into and discuss at length.

The cast as whole is very solid and Natalie Portman is excellent as Lena, a biologist with prior military experience who is determined to go into the shimmer. Portman is able to portray a strong stoic character whilst maintaining some vulnerability and charisma. Tessa Thompson and Gina Rodriguez also stand out from the crowd of adventurers as Josie and Anya but aren't given much character development so they can be a little one note.

The best thing about this film are its visuals. The locations and sets used for filming are excellent and transform you to this dreamlike but also nightmarish version or earth that also surveys to convey a fair bit about the plot. The use of models and puppets in conjunction with good CGI also serves to deliver some very disturbing and unnerving imagery that will stick with you after watching the film.

The soundtrack is also appropriately sci-fi with a strangely nauseating sound that reflects the uncomfortable and unpleasant events that unfold and how the characters begin to feel more and more unnerved.

There is a subplot that I don't think added much to the plot and the film as a whole but it's not long or too involved so it doesn't detract much from the main narrative. There is also a moment when the title of the film is used which felt very corny to me and should have been left out.

Overall, this is one of the best sci-fis I've seen in the last few years and by far one of the most original. After Ex-Machina Alex Garland has proved himself as an excellent sci-fi director and writer and I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.