Alex Garland delivers a trippy, terrifying, and deeply existential take on self-destruction, evolution, and whatever the hell that bear was. We follow Lena (Natalie Portman), a biologist on a doomed expedition into “The Shimmer”—a rapidly expanding anomaly where the laws of biology are on LSD. Alongside her are four other women, including Tessa Thompson’s Josie Radek, who proves that whispering through chaos is a power move.
Inside The Shimmer, things get weird. DNA mutates like it’s at a rave, creatures turn predatory in ways no one asked for, and everyone slowly loses their grip on reality (relatable). There’s a horrific bear with a human scream, psychedelic body horror, and a finale so unsettling, it’ll have you questioning whether you even exist.
But the real horror? The film’s take on self-destruction. Every character is running from something—grief, regret, or their own choices. The Shimmer doesn’t kill them outright; it absorbs, changes, and reflects them, forcing them to face their own undoing.
And then there’s the finale—a silent, hypnotic dance between Lena and an eerie humanoid mirror that is equal parts beautiful and nightmare fuel. It’s sci-fi at its most bizarre, unsettling, and unforgettable.
Final verdict? Annihilation is bold, haunting, and pure cosmic horror bliss. Also—just in case you missed it—Here at AAMR, we love Tessa Thompson.
African American Movie Reviews 