Annihilation
Annihilation is a science fiction film released on Netflix in 2018 starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason-Leigh and Oscar Isaac, based on the novel by Jeff Vandermeer. It follows biologist Lena and her team’s expedition into Area X, a mysterious zone beyond the ‘shimmer,’ in which the laws of nature don’t apply.
The shimmer is an every growing wall that is slowly consuming an area of America, much like a cancer, a metaphor that is further explored throughout the film. Inside the shimmer, people lose their minds and the physical landscape is ever mutating. Lena ventures in to discover the cause of the phenomenon and find out what happened to her husband who was there before her.
The film wasn’t at all what I expected. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that the film is overly intellectual but it delves deeper into philosophical issues than your standard science fiction film. As Area X changes the people inside both physically and mentally, mortality and the human nature are explored.
There are also very strong action and horror scenes that will make it appeal to a wide range of film fans, and special effects are used in perfect moderation.
As the film progresses and the team gets closer to their destination, the looming sense of dread gets painfully strong, and the films bleak but beautiful climax does not fall short of the tone set throughout.
An ambiguous ending also leaves the viewer wanting more, it left me thinking and theorizing for a good few days after watching.
I would highly recommend this film to fans of a wide genre of film, and it's undoubtedly one of Netflix’s strongest films.