"Annihilation" is a psychological sci-fi horror movie for genre fans who prefer their science fiction a little more cerebral and complex. Adapted from the first novel in Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach Trilogy, the tale takes place in a strange, alien-infected stretch of wilderness inspired by the author's regular hikes through North Florida's St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. When a meteor lands near a Florida national park lighthouse, a bizarre barrier begins to emerge around it. Dubbed the Shimmer, this strange, iridescent field continues to grow and expand.
The story revolves around the post-expedition interrogation of former soldier and marine biologist Lena, who entered the Shimmer to find answers about her Green Beret husband's failing health after he alone survived a previous expedition. As Lena struggles to recall her time inside the Shimmer and how she survived for months on a two-week food ration, we learn that the Shimmer distorts and mutates time, light, magnetic forces, and biology, even duplicating life forms inside its ever-growing border like a malignant cancer gradually taking over the planet.
Led by an outstanding female ensemble cast that includes Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Gina Rodriguez, "Annihilation" delves into heady themes like identity, perception, and humanity's powerlessness in the face of nature. Add in plenty of action, dazzling visuals, and high-concept science fiction, and it's a recipe for a near-perfect alien movie.
