A Sci-Fi Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (17 September 2018)

Had the pleasure of seeing Annihilation in the theater and then later at home on a 4K TV with a nice pair of headphones. Let me just say that this is easily one of my favorite films, not of this year, but ever. I am not going to write a summary of the film, but instead talk very highly of it, and why it deserves the praise I am giving it.
This is sci-fi at its absolute best. Surreal, ominous, atmospheric, and wonderfully alien. A major theme of the film is cancer. Cancer is self-destructive and we learn from the film that apparently it's hard-wired in our genetic structure. We as living organisms inherit the potential for self-destruction from birth. Sort of like the concept of origin sin. Anyway, each of the main cast of characters have had some sort of tragedy or self-destructive experience happen to them. This is how they all find their way together entering the shimmer to figure out what all the fuss is about. The shimmer is a growing dome, alien-like structure that is getting increasingly bigger and "influencing" the genetic code of organisms caught inside. Essentially in the shimmer animals, plants, and of course humans are sharing DNA, which causes them to mutate. Yes, the concept of Annihilation takes its logical leaps and liberties, but to dwell on this is to miss the point of the film.
There's many directions to how one might approach interpreting the symbolism of the shimmer. For me, it's the human tendency for self-destruction, how we (our minds) contain the potential to destroy us, sending us into a downward spiral of suffering. Whether it's from being in a state of grief after losing a loved one, becoming an addict, or suffering from crippling depression or even anxiety. We all need help and sometimes the hardest part is to ask for it. For many of us, we try to deal with it in our own, mostly self-destructive, ways and unfortunately the version of ourselves that emerges from it all is a husk of who we once were. We'll look the same on the outside, but we're ultimately lost and deteriorated on the inside.
On top of containing some fantastic symbolism and meaning, this film is a visual AND auditory FEAST. The imagery is stunning and also truly horrific. And the last 15 minutes or so is some of the greatest sci-fi magic you will ever witness and listen to. The soundtrack is astonishing. It's brilliantly realized as it generates an incredible sense of dread and wonder at the same time. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
It's a fantastic film and I can't recommend it enough.