The Shimmer is a highly localized phenomenon that has engulfed a swath of land, transforming everything inside it. The government sends multiple expeditions into the area to investigate, but none return. When her husband Kane (Isaac) falls ill upon returning from his mission inside the Shimmer, biologist and former soldier Lena (Portman) volunteers to enter the zone and find out what happened to him.
As they venture deeper into the Shimmer, the team begins to notice strange and disturbing changes to themselves and their surroundings. Flowers bloom in impossible colors, animals mutate into nightmarish creatures, and time seems to lose its meaning. As the group begins to unravel, with paranoia and distrust fueling their every move, Lena comes to realize that the Shimmer is more than just a physical anomaly.
Annihilation is a film that explores many complex themes, including grief, self-destruction, and the nature of identity. The characters are all dealing with their own personal demons, and the Shimmer only exacerbates those issues. Lena is haunted by guilt over her affair, while psychologist Dr. Ventress (Leigh) is dying of cancer and sees the Shimmer as a way to cheat death. The team’s leader, Anya (Rodriguez), struggles with addiction, and physicist Josie Radek (Thompson) wrestles with depression.
At its core, Annihilation is a meditation on human mortality and the fragility of the ego. As the team explores the Shimmer, they come face to face with their own mortality and the fact that everything they know and hold dear could be snuffed out in an instant. The film plays with the idea of what makes us who we are, and whether that identity can survive in the face of otherworldly powers.
Visually, Annihilation is a feast for the eyes. The Shimmer is a mesmerizing and surreal landscape, with vibrant colors and distorted shapes. The creatures inside the zone are beautifully designed, with a sense of otherworldliness that is both enchanting and terrifying. The film’s sound design is also impressive, with a haunting score that perfectly captures the film’s sense of unease.
Despite its many strengths, Annihilation is not a film for everyone. It’s a slow burn of a movie that requires patience and a willingness to embrace ambiguity. The film’s final act, in particular, is likely to leave many viewers scratching their heads, as Garland chooses to leave things open-ended and metaphorical rather than delivering a neat and tidy conclusion.
Overall, Annihilation is a challenging and thought-provoking film that rewards those who are willing to dive into its murky waters. It’s a film that lingers long after the credits have rolled, leaving the viewer with more questions than answers. It’s the kind of movie that demands multiple viewings, as there are seemingly endless layers to unpack. If you’re a fan of intelligent and visually arresting science fiction, Annihilation is certainly worth your time.