I just saw the new film starring Natalie Portman, Annihilation, which came out in theatres three days ago (but will primarily be released internationally through Netflix). The film is about a biologist (Portman) who goes on a mission into an area that has been the cause of multiple disappearances and is based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Jeff VanderMeer. Following 2014’s Ex Machina, (the two films share a theme), director Alex Garland again cast Oscar Isaac, although this cast is primarily female including Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Gina Rodriguez. I almost heard the Ghostbuster theme when a group of the female cast stood side by side. Annihilation builds and explores a mystery, provides some amazing visuals (including the end credits), and gives Portman a chance to play a kick ass scientist who is also dealing with some unnatural elements. Most of the visuals had a colorful tone to them, reminding me of Evolution (2001 sci-fi with Julianne Moore) and Portman’s brainy maturity reminded me of Amy Adams in Arrival (2016). I enjoyed wondering what was going on, the psychedelic visuals, the jolts of danger, and what causes them. I wished to see more of the area, what was there, and where it came from, but it seemed to be more about the journey than the destination. Some of the visuals may have betrayed the rest of the film in terms of quality (budget?) and I wonder if it would take anyone out of (watching) the film as it did a bit for me. That being said, some folks in my audience gasped at that moment (questionable cgi) and at another, more graphic moment. I may not have gasped during the film, but my attention was grabbed throughout.

Annihilation

IMDB

2018, 14A, 1h 55m