Annihilation (2018)

A biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don't apply.

Director:

Alex Garland

Writers:

Alex Garland (written for the screen by), Jeff VanderMeer (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson

16 wins & 57 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Natalie Portman	...	Lena
Benedict Wong	...	Lomax
Sonoya Mizuno	...	Humanoid & Katie (Med Student)
David Gyasi	...	Daniel
Oscar Isaac	...	Kane
John Schwab	...	Paramedic
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Dr Ventress
Gina Rodriguez	...	Anya Thorensen
Tuva Novotny	...	Cass Sheppard
Tessa Thompson	...	Josie Radek
Sammy Hayman	...	Mayer
Josh Danford	...	Shelley
Kristen McGarrity	...	Lena Double

Storyline

A biologist's husband disappears. She puts her name forward for an expedition into an environmental disaster zone, but does not find what she's expecting. The expedition team is made up of the biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist, a surveyor, and a linguist.

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Plot Keywords:

coma | expedition | lighthouse | based on novel | scientist | 

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Taglines:

One way in. No way out.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Oscar Issac and Sonoya Mizuno previously starred together in Ex Machina (2014), which was also written and directed by Alex Garland.

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Goofs

There is no reason Kane would get terminally sick upon return if he isn't the real Kane (as suggested by glowing eyes in last scene).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Lomax: What did you eat? You had rations for two weeks. You were inside for nearly four months.
Lena: I don't remember eating.
Lomax: How long did you think you were inside?
Lena: Days. Maybe weeks.
Lomax: What happened to Josie Radek?
Lena: ...I don't know.
Lomax: What about Sheppard? Thorensen?
Lena: Dead.
Lomax: Ventress?
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in MsMojo: Top 10 Most Exciting Releases of 2018 (2018)

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Soundtracks

The Mark (Interlude)
Performed by Moderat
Words and Music by Gernot Bronsert, Sebastian Szary and Apparat (as Sascha Ring)
Licensed courtesy of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Limited
Published by Monkeytown Music Gmbh / Sony/ ATV Music Publishing Limited, Random Noize Musick, Budde Music

User Reviews

A brilliant movie hidden in a mediocre movie

The only advice I can give to anybody going to see Annihilation is: stick with it. I definitely was close to checking out around the middle point, but quickly my interest was piqued and in the blink of an eye the movie turned into a profound, 2001 meets Under The Skin meets Predator surreal science fiction near- masterpiece.

The first half is so patiently mediocre that the second half almost feels like a completely different movie, making the movie a mixed bag but one that's totally worth it. Some of the performances are great, some are okay, and at least one is noticeably bad. Natalie Portman turns in a great performance (she carries the entire film) and Jennifer Jason Leigh gives a reserved and underplayed angle to a well worn out archetype. The side characters however, like Gina Rodriguez and Tessa Thompson, are mostly annoying and sometimes border on being simply bad. Oscar Isaac is very good.

Most of the technical choices are good. The cinematography isn't particularly flashy but it captures the world behind the shimmer in all of it's messed up glory (the last twenty minutes are truly a thing to behold). The music choices are also a mixed bag. Soft strum guitar comes in at random intervals and doesn't really work, but the dark, brooding thump of a certain synth track really gives you a sense of cosmic horror.

I don't want to spoil anything, so I'm going to leave it at that. Go support this movie, even if it isn't perfect. There are so many great things about it that they way outweigh the flaws.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 February 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Annihilation

Filming Locations:

Windsor Great Park, Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,071,584, 25 February 2018

Gross USA:

$32,732,301

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$43,070,915

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Skydance Media, Scott Rudin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby Surround 7.1 Dolby Atmos DTS (DTS: X)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1