A cerebral and visually striking thriller

Rating: 9/10 (18 March 2018)

In order to enjoy this movie, you must enjoy/appreciate movies that do not explain everything, and that leaves the audience to ponder what the heck they just saw. You must also like sci-fi, thrillers, and have at least a small taste for horror. Those who enjoy this movie possibly also enjoyed (or would enjoy) movies like Gone Girl, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Jurassic Park, Arrival, The Thing, Sphere, Interstellar, Prometheus, and of course, Ex Machina.
Annihilation is a film based off a novel by Jeff VanderMeer. It's about a woman searching for answers when her husband mysteriously reappears after going missing during a classified military operation. A biologist, she enters with a small team of women into a world created on our own by what appears to be a fallen meteoroid. This world defies logical biology in quite fascinating, and horrifying ways. So many questions need answering, such as: What is it? What is it doing? What are the effects on the environment? On humans? And while some questions are answered, others appear to be unanswered, or at least, answered cryptically. Admittingly, I myself am still confused about a few plot points of the film, but it's exciting to think about it and discuss with others.
It is quite bizarre, and the cinematography is quite stunning and beautiful. Acting is nothing special, nor is it bland. The basic ingredients for an effective and entertaining film are met here, with no major complaints. It's quite different, those worried about predictability shouldn't be worried.
It can get intense. Those who say it's "boring" must be impossible to please. Personally, I've seen so many horror movies I have thought I was too desensitized to be "scared" anymore, but I found myself absentmindedly tearing apart my lower lip in trepidation by the events on screen. Sure it may have some slower parts, but let's be honest, what movie DOESN'T have slow parts? In these scenes, situations are discussed, discoveries are made, mysteries are explained, and tension is prepped. There really are no dull moments, and the movie keeps you wondering throughout.
It's a fun, exhilarating film. I imagine most who see it would walk away satisfied, but if you hated every movie above that I compared it to, you should probably skip this one. Which is a shame. Because it's awesome.