Annihilation

Annihilation is a mediation on existential horror. Its terror is bound on character-driven drama conveying themes of self-destruction, grief, existential crisis, and apocalyptic horror. The character-driven storytelling amplifies these themes and guides it to a logical conclusion.

There is layered acting solidified by Natalie Portman's performance, fleshed-out characters, and surrealist existential drama with Lovecraftian horror. The ensemble brings layered drama, mannerisms, outbursts, and motivation. The plot provides setup/payoff with its ambiguous ending being thought-provoking and fitting to its thematic ideas.

Technically Annihilation creates a lived-in world with Lovecraftian and apocalyptic horror. Dimmed lighting, Dutch angles, and restrained cinematography flesh out the horrors of the Shimmer in ambitious detail. The editing allows the methodical pacing to be informed of its high-concept genre and settles the viewer into the lived-in world.

The sound is highly cerebral and intentionally uncomfortable with a sense of foreboding. The cast is a solid mixture of recognizable faces and new names. The effects offer gore, surrealism, and creatures through prosthetics, makeup, and CGI. The lived-in and neo-futuristic design amplifies and services the themes evoking specific settings. Overall Annihilation is a solid sophomore effort that enriches yet subverts its genre.

Writing:8/10

Direction:9/10

Cinematography:8/10

Acting:8/10

Editing:8/10

Sound:8/10

Score:7/10

Production Design:8/10

Casting:7/10

Effects:9/10

Overall Score:8.0/10.0