Annihilation

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
Annihilation Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Amazing but challenging, violent sci-fi isn't for everyone.

R 2018 115 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 12 reviews

Kids say

age 15+

Based on 29 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Annihilation is a brainy but amazing sci-fi movie from the director of Ex Machina and based on Jeff VanderMeer's novel. It has several creepy, scary, and/or unsettling scenes, as well as scenes of blood and gore, monster attacks, guns and shooting, and death. A woman is shown having an affair; sex is implied via moaning and movement (there's no graphic nudity, and the two participants aren't shown on-screen at the same time). There's also a scene of a married couple in bed in their underwear, comfortable and kissing. Language is strong, with several uses of "f--k" and "s--t." It's rare -- but nice! -- to see this type of movie primarily featuring women (Natalie Portman, Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson star). Annihilation is closer in spirit to films like Stalker and 2001: A Space Odyssey than Star Wars or superhero movies, so it might not be for everyone.

Community Reviews

Dad of the Decade
Dad of the Decade Adult
April 28, 2021
age 17+

Challenging fever dream, not remotely appropriate for non-adults

This is a brilliantly mind-bending trip of a movie for the right adults. It is cerebral, almost psychedelic film that will appeal more to fans of sci-fi literature than modern sci-fi blockbusters. If you have a tough stomach and enjoy somewhat ambiguous, big-idea, psychological, perspective-altering weirdness — there is a LOT to love here. That said, it is unsparingly, unquestionably, hyper-radically NOT for the squeamish, and is definitely not for children—including most teenagers. I'm a 37 year old with a moderate level of exposure to on-screen violence. I don't have the constitution for the horror genre, but I don't shy away from the darker corners of most other genre fare. There are several scenes in this movie that haunted me for weeks. The film leaves a heavy impression that takes time to shake. While I loved it, I don't know if I could watch it again. Frankly (violence and sex scenes aside) I would recommend this with carefully targeted consideration anyway. Despite the recognizable cast, it's essentially an art-house film; one that will be enjoyed only by the most challenge-ready, open-minded viewer who can find enjoyment in dark think pieces more interested in concepts than characters.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
samramser
samramser Adult
May 2, 2020
age 13+

the most unique movie i’ve ever seen

at first glance annihilation is just like any other sci fi movie, the three acts seem like 3 completely different genres of film woven together by a narrative that is revealed while we jump through different points in time. the pacing is incredible, the score is beautiful and the set design is phenomenal. overall it’s just a really beautiful depiction of the destruction of humanity and you should watch it if you can, i promise you won’t stop thinking about it for days. that said it’s not for the faint of heart, i do think some reviews overestimate the amount of gore in this movie, there was only one point i really had to look away and for a moderately gorey movie all of the gore was justified for the sake of the plot. there is some sex but again, it’s very justified and very well executed. if you do get the chance to watch this movie, examine it through a philosophical lens, i think if you watch it as a sci-fi thriller you’re likely to end it thinking “what was the point?” but watching it as a story about a marriage and humanity you understand so much more.
See all 12 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In ANNIHILATION, biologist Lena (Natalie Portman) is mourning the loss of her soldier husband, Kane (Oscar Isaac). Then he suddenly shows up, extremely disoriented and unable to remember anything. But when Lena tries to take him to the hospital, they're intercepted and taken instead to a secret government facility. There, Lena learns about The Shimmer, a mysterious force that has appeared out of nowhere and seems to be expanding. All efforts to enter into it have met with failure; no one has come back alive except Kane. Teaming up with four other women -- Dr. Ventress (Jennifer Jason Leigh), Anya (Gina Rodriguez), Josie (Tessa Thompson), and Cass (Tuva Novotny) -- Lena volunteers to go into the unknown area, hoping to save her husband as well as solve the mystery. But what she finds inside is beyond even her wildest expectations.

Is It Any Good?

Alex Garland's second directorial outing after the excellent Ex Machina, this brainy, metaphysical sci-fi is even more ambitious and more amazing. But its challenging conclusion could be a hard sell. Based on Jeff VanderMeer's novel, Annihilation slightly resembles Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker (1979), a highly artistic masterpiece from a much braver time, when audiences were less likely to balk at ambiguity. Like Ridley Scott did in Blade Runner 2049, Garland combines unusual, imaginative visuals, ideas, and sounds with more traditional audience-aimed thrills -- but he does so far more seamlessly than Scott. The film is less focused on climactic battles, instead heading toward a far more poetic, surreal ending.

The shape of Annihilation is nothing short of brilliant, with a linear, minimalist starting point that consists of simple, straightforward images (like a lighthouse). It then opens up like a strange, exotic flower, following different offshoots to new, unexpected points in its unpredictable world. The movie is admirable for featuring five women (and no men) as the characters who embark on the journey; Portman's performance especially makes it an emotional one. But given that the movie is sometimes creepy and perhaps even unsettling, it sets itself up as being more of a cult favorite than a mainstream hit -- it's closer to 2001: A Space Odyssey than to Star Wars. Still, if you prefer your sci-fi deep, then you're in for a treat.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Annihilation's violence. How do the scenes with blood and gore compare to the more indescribable, creepy scenes? How did they all affect you? What's the impact of media violence on kids?

  • Why is it noteworthy that the main characters in this film are mostly women? Are they role models? Why or why not?

  • How does this story compare to other sci-fi movies you've seen? Are some movies based more on ideas than action? Which do you prefer?

  • The film has drawn some criticism for potentially "whitewashing" some of the key roles. Have you heard this term before?

  • Does this movie have an ambiguous ending? What do you think happens?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Arrival Poster Image

    Arrival

    Great, deeply thoughtful, compassionate sci-fi tale.

    age 11+
  • Ex Machina Poster Image

    Ex Machina

    Brilliant, emotional, mature sci-fi tale could be a classic.

    age 17+
  • Dark City Poster Image

    Dark City

    Mind-stretching, futuristic sci-fi can get gory.

    age 16+

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