The Shimmering

Book one of Jeff VanderMeer’s best-selling ‘Southern Reach’ trilogy gets adapted to the big screen in ‘Annihilation.’  When I first saw the mysterious trailer of this movie I knew I have to see it no matter what.  Not having read the books, I figured the chances of disappointment are low as my mind is untainted by any preconceptions or spoilers (I was disappointed with Spielberg’s ‘Jurassic Park’ because I read the Crichton novel right before I saw the movie).

 

‘Annihilation’ is one of those daringly bold and weirdly disturbing films that’s best left to the viewers to individually experience.  Suffice it to say that (and this is nothing you won’t already have surmised from its trailer) the movie is about a small group of women who venture into a strange place characterized by “unnatural” phenomena.  I want to simplify and say this movie is like ‘The X-Files’ meets ‘Lost’ meets ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ meets ‘Altered States’ meets ‘Arrival’ meets ‘Under the Dome’ and whatever else ‘Annihilation’ brings to mind at one time or another throughout its many head-scratching WTF moments, but that wouldn’t be fair or do justice to it because it’s rather unique and unlike anything we’ve seen before.  Unconventional and anti-mainstream to the core, this film is bound to provoke reactions and make us ponder its implications and significance.

 

‘Annihilation’ is only Alex Garland’s second feature as director following his excellent and thought-provoking ‘Ex Machina,’ but you can’t tell from watching the movie which only attests to his singular talent.  Natalie Portman also delivered a quiet and subtle performance as the main protagonist in the tale, a biology professor who needed every ounce of toughness borne out of her military experience while exploring the mysterious, spooky and unforgiving region known as “Area X.” 

Grade: A