****
When her assumed-dead husband returns suddenly from an undisclosed mission, Lena finds herself drawn to the strange, fantastical world of The Shimmer. Joining forces with a small group of fellow scientists, she sets out to discover what lies within the unknown realm.
In his directorial debut, Ex Machina, Alex Garland discussed the tricky themes of humanity: what does it mean to be human? When does an AI become human? Taking similarly ponderous topics in his visually stunning follow-up, Annihilation focuses on the frailty of mankind: the self-destructive tendencies that can be found all the way from our foundations, our cells, to our emotional reactions and relationships. Set, once again, against a science fiction backdrop, these discussions are intertwined with moments of wonder, fear and confusion, making for a tale that's as multi-faceted as The Shimmer itself. Far less a story of the phenomenon, or catalyst, itself and more a study of human nature, Annihilation is a fusion of jumpy thrills and hard-hitting philosophical and psychological discussion, interwoven throughout with abstract visual artistry that is truly immersive.
Fronting a refreshingly female-centric cast, Natalie Portman is Lena, a professor of biology who joins the expedition into The Shimmer saying that she 'owes' her husband. As the film goes on, we begin to understand more of her motivation and what this 'owing' really means. Portman's character is not the only 'damaged' member of the party, as each team mate slowly reveals their all too human frailties, from the grief-stricken mother, to the terminal cancer patient and self-harmer. Whilst these characters are 'broken', however, the world inside The Shimmer is growing, adapting, and changing, at times grotesquely, at times beautifully. It's a fascinating juxtaposition, and one that triggers discussions of madness, betrayal (both human and physical) and existence, albeit sometimes in a somewhat obvious, clunky way.
Whilst the conclusion is likely to divide audiences, and the 'talky-talky' nature of the plot means you can't just 'stick it on in the background', Annihilation offers a thorough and intelligent discussion of life, death and everything in between. At times terrifying, it marries a hypnotic score with outstanding graphics and excellent acting for a viewing experience that's as much philosophical discussion as it is entertainment.
In his directorial debut, Ex Machina, Alex Garland discussed the tricky themes of humanity: what does it mean to be human? When does an AI become human? Taking similarly ponderous topics in his visually stunning follow-up, Annihilation focuses on the frailty of mankind: the self-destructive tendencies that can be found all the way from our foundations, our cells, to our emotional reactions and relationships. Set, once again, against a science fiction backdrop, these discussions are intertwined with moments of wonder, fear and confusion, making for a tale that's as multi-faceted as The Shimmer itself. Far less a story of the phenomenon, or catalyst, itself and more a study of human nature, Annihilation is a fusion of jumpy thrills and hard-hitting philosophical and psychological discussion, interwoven throughout with abstract visual artistry that is truly immersive.
Fronting a refreshingly female-centric cast, Natalie Portman is Lena, a professor of biology who joins the expedition into The Shimmer saying that she 'owes' her husband. As the film goes on, we begin to understand more of her motivation and what this 'owing' really means. Portman's character is not the only 'damaged' member of the party, as each team mate slowly reveals their all too human frailties, from the grief-stricken mother, to the terminal cancer patient and self-harmer. Whilst these characters are 'broken', however, the world inside The Shimmer is growing, adapting, and changing, at times grotesquely, at times beautifully. It's a fascinating juxtaposition, and one that triggers discussions of madness, betrayal (both human and physical) and existence, albeit sometimes in a somewhat obvious, clunky way.
Whilst the conclusion is likely to divide audiences, and the 'talky-talky' nature of the plot means you can't just 'stick it on in the background', Annihilation offers a thorough and intelligent discussion of life, death and everything in between. At times terrifying, it marries a hypnotic score with outstanding graphics and excellent acting for a viewing experience that's as much philosophical discussion as it is entertainment.
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