Paramount’s moving forward on its thriller Annihilation, tapping Ex Machina writer-director Alex Garland to adapt the script and direct the project, says Variety.

The studio and Scott Rudin acquired movie rights to Jeff VanderMeer’s “The Southern Reach” trilogy last year. The first book, “Annihilation,” was published in March. It was followed by “Authority” in May and “Acceptance” in September.

Rudin and Eli Bush are producing Annihilation, which “centers on a biologist seeking answers about her husband’s disappearance in an enivironmental disaster areas sealed off by the government for the last 30 years.”

Garland’s writing credits also include 28 Days Later, Dredd and Sunshine.

Ex Machina director Alex Garland looks to have found the star of his next sci-fi film, Annihilation, reports Variety.

Natalie Portman (Black Swan) is in early talks to star in the adaptation of the Jeff VanderMeer novel for Garland and Paramount Pictures. Scott Rudin is producing.

Garland will write and direct the pic that “follows a biologist who signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply.”

The deal is dependent on production starting no sooner than the beginning of 2016, but sources say it seems like the two sides will settle on a start date soon.

Oscar Isaac, who can be seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is reteaming with Ex Machina director Alex Garland for Annihilation, which recently cast Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan) in the lead.

Jennifer Jason Leigh (Amityville: The Awakening, The Hateful Eightm “Twin Peaks”) also stars with Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson (Creed, When a Stranger Calls).

The film is an adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer novel for Garland and Paramount Pictures, which has Scott Rudin producing.

Garland will write and direct the pic that “follows a biologist who signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply.“

Here’s a highlight from his work in Garland’s Ex Machina.

[H/T] iMBD

Oscar Isaac, who can be seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is reteaming with Ex Machina director Alex Garland for Annihilation, which also stars Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan).

Garland writes and directs the pic that “follows a biologist who signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply.“

Jennifer Jason Leigh (Amityville: The Awakening, The Hateful Eight, “Twin Peaks”) also stars with Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson (Creed, When a Stranger Calls).

Paramount will release it in theaters on February 23, 2018, the same day as CBS Films’ horror pic Winchester.

The film is an adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer novel for Garland and Paramount Pictures, which has Scott Rudin producing.

EW shared this first look at Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan) in Ex Machina director Alex Garland‘s Annihilation.

Portman plays a scientist named Lena, who is part of an expedition tasked with exploring an area which has been taken over by a mysterious force. “[She] finds a very strange, dream-like, surrealist landscape, and goes deeper and deeper into that world, and also into that mindset,” Garland told the site.

Jennifer Jason Leigh (Amityville: The Awakening, The Hateful Eight, “Twin Peaks”), Tuva Novotny, Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson (Creed, When a Stranger Calls) costar as her fellow team members, while Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) plays Portman’s husband.

“It is their first tangible encounter with something strange,” adds Garland, referring to the photo of Portman inspecting an alligator. “The alligator has physical elements to it that should not belong on an alligator. They’re starting to get their heads around how weird the place is.”

Paramount will release it in theaters on February 23, 2018, the same day as CBS Films’ horror pic Winchester.

The film is an adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer novel for Garland and Paramount Pictures, which has Scott Rudin producing.

Left to right: Natalie Portman and Tessa Thompson in ANNIHILATION, from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

We’re about to hit peak nostalgia, although it looks as if Ex Machina director Alex Garland‘s Annihilation is going beyond homage and using classic films for inspiration.

In his new film, Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan) plays a biologist who signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply. “[She] finds a very strange, dream-like, surrealist landscape, and goes deeper and deeper into that world, and also into that mindset,” Garland told EW just yesterday.

The first trailer takes us into this dream-like sci-fi horror nightmare that harkens back to all sorts fo genre films like Jurassic Park, Predator, and even Contact, not to mention touching on “Stranger Things” (see image below the trailer). It looks nothing short of spectacular.

Jennifer Jason Leigh (Amityville: The Awakening, The Hateful Eight, “Twin Peaks”), Tuva Novotny, Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson (Creed, When a Stranger Calls) costar as her fellow team members, while Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) plays Portman’s husband.

Paramount will release it in theaters on February 23, 2018, the same day as CBS Films’ horror pic Winchester.

The film is an adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer novel for Garland and Paramount Pictures, which has Scott Rudin producing.

We already gushed over the first trailer for Ex Machina director Alex Garland‘s Annihilation, which took us into this dream-like sci-fi horror nightmare that harkens back to all sorts of genre films like Jurassic Park, Predator, and even Contact. The new trailer is even better, revealing a heavy Alien/Aliens inspiration from the set design to weaponry, not to mention the film carrying an alien monster intent on creating destroying everything in its path.

In his new film, Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan) plays a biologist who signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply. “[She] finds a very strange, dream-like, surrealist landscape, and goes deeper and deeper into that world, and also into that mindset,” Garland told EW when initially announced.

Jennifer Jason Leigh (Amityville: The Awakening, The Hateful Eight, “Twin Peaks”), Tuva Novotny, Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson (Creed, When a Stranger Calls) costar as her fellow team members, while Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) plays Portman’s husband.

Here’s the brand new trailer that’s as frightening as it is stunning.  Paramount will release it in theaters on February 23, 2018, the same day as CBS Films’ horror pic Winchester.

Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny, Natalie Portman and Jennifer Jason Leigh in Annihilation from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

If you’ve been keeping up on our 2017 year-end coverage, then you’re on top of what a tremendous year this has been for horror. But as 2017 is almost over, it’s time to look ahead to what next year will bring. Luckily, it looks as though there’s a lot on the schedule in 2018. From blockbuster summer horror to festival darlings finally seeing release, and surprise reboots to tried-and-true franchise sequels, 2018 might just be another year where horror saves the box office. Again. Here’s what we’re most looking forward to:

Insidious: The Last Key – January 5

Picking up after the events of Insidious: Chapter 3, Elise Rainer (Lin Shaye) moves on to investigate supernatural activity in her former childhood home. Which appears to make this sequel function as a sort of prequel within a prequel, as actresses Ava Kolker and Hana Hayes both portray the franchise heroine at varying ages. This sequel also seems to hint that we’ll get a much deeper dive into the creepy depths of The Further, which has long been a highlight of the series. Outside of Lin Shaye’s butt-kicking Elise, of course. Written by Leigh Whannell, he’s handed the directorial reins over Adam Robitel, who caught audiences off guard with 2014’s The Taking of Deborah Logan.

Mom and Dad – January 19

Written and directed by Brian Taylor (Crank), this horror-comedy is every bit of the over-the-top fast-paced thrill ride you’d come to expect from Taylor’s work. When a strange phenomenon causes parents to turn violently against their own children, Selma Blair and Nicolas Cage become completely unhinged in the best possible way. There’s a ton of humor, the best product placement of a home-improvement tool that I’ve seen in a while, surprising violence, a horror cameo, and superb performances by Cage and Blair. It’s not perfect, but it is a very enjoyable way to spend 83 minutes, especially with a crowd.

Annihilation – February 23

Directed by Alex Garland and adapted for screen from a book by Jeff VanderMeer, the trailer for this sci-fi horror is nothing short of stunning. There’s a surreal, almost dream-like quality about the expedition that Natalie Portman’s character steps into, full of alien creatures with big teeth. I’m not sure I know what’s going on in the trailer, but I know I want to see it.  Strange, monstrous creature encounters, beautiful cinematography, and a very talented cast indicates this might be something special. Of course, VanderMeer’s source novel is the first in his bestselling Southern Reach trilogy, so Annihilation might just be the sneaky first entry in a new franchise.

The Strangers: Prey at Night – March 9

Quite possibly the most anticipated sequel, and one that fans have been asking for since Bryan Bertino’s hit in 2008, we finally get to reunite with Dollface, Pin-up Girl, and Man in the Mask. If the film is half as good as the marketing has been leading up to release, I think we’ll be in for a good time. This time targeting a family in a mobile home, the scale and body count promises to be much higher. Directed by Johannes Roberts, fresh off the success of 47 Meters Down, and starring Bailee Madison, Martin Henderson, Lewis Pullman, and Christina Hendricks, there’s a lot that indicates this sequel might be well worth the wait.

The Endless – Early 2018

If you follow reviews out of the festival circuit, then the latest by filmmaking duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (Resolution, Spring) probably has you salivating. There’s not really a facet of the film untouched by the duo; from writing, directing, producing, and even starring in the film as two brothers returning to the cult they escaped years ago, only to find things may be stranger than they ever believed possible. As Brad described in his review, it is every bit the mind fuck, and the festival reviews are justified. Thanks to Well Go USA, The Endless will finally see a yet to be determined release in early 2018. I recommend you revisit their previous films while you wait.

Revenge – Early 2018

As Julia Ducournau did the previous year with her debut Raw, Coralie Fargeat also makes a bold declaration in the French horror movement with her debut Revenge. The plot set up is simple; when Richard’s friends show up early for their annual hunting trip, they catch him with his mistress. The encounter escalates into a twisted tale of rape-revenge, but Fargeat manages to make it far less exploitive than it sounds while being every bit as violent and bloody as you’d expect from French horror. It’s visceral, leading up to one of the bloodiest finales I’ve seen in a while, and still manages to feel fresh thanks to Fargeat’s perspective. Luckily, Shudder picked this one up for early 2018 release.

Slice -Early 2018

There’s no question A24 puts out some risky stuff; titles like The Witch, Green Room, The Blackcoat’s Daughter, and the polarizing It Comes at Night. Which makes any horror release of theirs something worth noting, and Slice definitely invokes curiosity. For one, it stars Chance the Rapper. Two, it follows a pizza delivery driver murdered on the job, who then searches for someone to blame. Three, the footage revealed. Yes, please.  A24 announced dates for two undisclosed horror films: March 16 and April 27. Slice will be one of them.

The New Mutants – April 13

Superhero movie fatigue is a real thing, which makes it difficult to get excited about most of them these days. But if you cast Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch, Split), Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things), and Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones), and frame this origin story like something out of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, well, that’s enough to get me to take notice. How it plays out is a whole other story, but giving the superhero origin story a horror spin is enough for me to want to give it a shot.

The Nun – July 13

The Nun made quite the appearance in The Conjuring 2, so it’s no surprise that the demon would get its own movie. Like Annabelle: Creation, James Wan and Gary Dauberman opted to set the story in the 1950s, making for a much more interesting setting. That it stars Vera Farmiga’s younger sister Taissa Farmiga isn’t likely a coincidence, though the actress has proven her mettle in horror with American Horror Story. The Conjuring films and its spinoffs have been box office juggernauts, and it won’t be slowing down with this entry, either.

The Predator – August 3

The original Hawkins himself, Shane Black, returns to the franchise, this time as director as well as co-writer with Fred Dekker (The Monster Squad). This alone is what makes the potential for this entry, set to take place between Predator 2 and Predators, so exciting. The interesting cast choices also makes this one stand out; I don’t know that anyone would have expected Keegan-Michael Key, of Key & Peele or Jacob Tremblay (Before I Wake) to face the Predator, and you can bet I want to see how Predator handles suburbia. Pretty well, I’d think.

The Meg – August 10

Jason Statham versus giant megalodon shark. Do we really need any more than that? Sold.

The Little Stranger – August 31

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson and based on a novel by Sarah Waters, this post-WWII set Gothic ghost story will follow a country doctor (Domhnall Gleeson) whose new patient is dealing something far more ominous in their crumbling Hundreds Hall during the hot summer of 1947. Also starring Ruth Wilson, Will Poulter, and Charlotte Rampling, this one promises to exude quiet, haunting atmosphere. There’s something about period ghost stories that make them great for dread and mood, and that the source novel got a ringing endorsement from Stephen King makes The Little Stranger one to pay attention to.

The House with a Clock In its Walls – September 21

Based on a gothic horror novel geared toward child readers, originally published in 1973 with illustrations by Edward Gorey, this adaptation stars Cate Blanchett, Kyle MacLachlan, and Jack Black. Black already impressed with his work on Goosebumps, so already this seems like a promising horror fantasy. Most peculiar, though, is that story, which follows a 10-year old who goes to live with his uncle in a creaky old house with a ticking heart, is being directed by Eli Roth. Interesting cast, and very interesting directorial choice for horror aimed at a younger audience, so color me intrigued.

Halloween – October 19

If there’s any 2018 release more highly anticipated than The Strangers: Prey at Night, it’s this one. The more information trickles in, the stronger the fan reaction grows. From the early announcement of Danny McBride as co-writer, to John Carpenter’s involvement as executive producer, creative consultant, and possibly even partial composer. Toss in the news that this entry is effectively ignoring all sequels past the original, therefore erasing anything Cult of Thorn, Jamie Lloyd, and beyond, and you’ve got polarizing fan buzz. Whatever would entice Jamie Lee Curtis and Carpenter back to the series, though, is enough to make this one a guaranteed hit.

Anna and the Apocalypse – Awaiting distribution/December 2018?

This Christmas-set Scottish, high school zombie musical had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX, and attendees went nuts for it, including our own Trace Thurman (review). Despite the very concept of a high school musical, director John McPhail doesn’t shy away from the gore or the surprising deaths. It also helps that the soundtrack is catchy.  This one still doesn’t have a distributor for release, despite its film festival reception, but I bet that’s more to do with its niche Christmas setting than anything. 2016’s festival favorite Christmas horror Better Watch Out wasn’t acquired until May 2017, with just enough time for holiday release. Look for Anna and the Apocalypse to follow the same pattern.

What are you most looking forward to in 2018?

We already gushed over the first trailer for Ex Machina director Alex Garland‘s Annihilation, which took us into this dream-like sci-fi horror nightmare that harkens back to all sorts of genre films like Jurassic Park, Predator, and even Contact. Now, here’s the film’s official poster that steps into the extraterrestrial plane and exclaims to “fear what’s inside.”

In his new film, Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan) plays a biologist who signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply. “[She] finds a very strange, dream-like, surrealist landscape, and goes deeper and deeper into that world, and also into that mindset,” Garland told EW when initially announced.

Jennifer Jason Leigh (Amityville: The Awakening, The Hateful Eight, “Twin Peaks”), Tuva Novotny, Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson (Creed, When a Stranger Calls) costar as her fellow team members, while Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) plays Portman’s husband.

Paramount will release it in theaters on February 23, 2018.

The world is being swallowed by the mysterious and terrifying force known as “The Shimmer” in Alex Garland’s Annihilation, headed to the big screen in just under a month.

What lies inside this bizarre, extraterrestrial plane? We won’t know for sure until next month, but a new featurette video today teases that whatever it is, it isn’t good…

Paramount will release Annihilation on February 23, 2018.

Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan) plays a biologist who signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply. “[She] finds a very strange, dream-like, surrealist landscape, and goes deeper and deeper into that world, and also into that mindset,” Garland told EW when initially announced.

Jennifer Jason Leigh (Amityville: The Awakening, The Hateful Eight, “Twin Peaks”), Tuva Novotny, Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson (Creed, When a Stranger Calls) costar as her fellow team members, while Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) plays Portman’s husband.

We already gushed over the first trailer for Ex Machina director Alex Garland‘s Annihilation, which took us into this dream-like sci-fi horror nightmare that harkens back to all sorts of genre films like Jurassic Park, Predator, and even Contact. Now, discovered on the official website is a clip in which Jennifer Jason Leigh (Amityville: The Awakening, The Hateful Eight, “Twin Peaks”) explains to Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan) that the “shimmer” is expanding exponentially and will eventually consume cities.

In his new film, Portman plays a biologist who signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply. “[She] finds a very strange, dream-like, surrealist landscape, and goes deeper and deeper into that world, and also into that mindset,” Garland told EW when initially announced.

Tuva Novotny, Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson (Creed, When a Stranger Calls) costar, while Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) plays Portman’s husband.

Paramount will release it in theaters on February 23, 2018.

Much like the viral marketing for mother!, Paramount Pictures has been unlocking new footage on the viral website for Alex Garland’s Annihilation, in theaters February 23rd.

In the latest piece of footage,  Jennifer Jason Leigh (Amityville: The Awakening, The Hateful Eight, “Twin Peaks”) tells Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Black Swan) that something was brought back from inside the “shimmer”.

Here’s how to watch it: Click on over to http://www.forthosethatfollow.com/ and then input the code that was discovered on Twitter…

Τ⁤⁢h​‍‍e​‍⁤r​‌⁡ｅ​‌⁢ ​‍‌a​‌⁠r‍⁡ｅ​‌­ ​‍‍ｃ​‍​ｅ​‌‌ｒ​‍⁣t‍⁡a​​⁤i​​⁣n​‌­ ​‌⁤ｋ⁡​ｉnｄｓ ｏｆ dｅａｔｈｓ thａｔ onｅ ｓhоulｄ ｎοt ｂe eхｐｅcｔeｄ ｔo re－ｌіｖe．#WhatsInside https://t.co/xHXXBsORrO pic.twitter.com/IByqVfYP7N

— Annihilation (@AnnihilationMov) February 1, 2018

In Garland’s new film, Portman plays a biologist who signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply. “[She] finds a very strange, dream-like, surrealist landscape, and goes deeper and deeper into that world, and also into that mindset,” Garland told EW when initially announced.

Tuva Novotny, Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson (Creed, When a Stranger Calls) costar, while Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) plays Portman’s husband.

Now in theaters everywhere is Alex Garland‘s (Ex Machina, 28 Days Later) sci-fi thriller Annihilation, which stars Natalie Portman (Black Swan), Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Amityville: The Awakening, The Hateful Eight, “Twin Peaks”),Tessa Thompson (Creed, When a Stranger Calls), Gina Rodriguez, and Tuva Novotny.

While it’s in theaters here in the States, the UK (and other countries) will see the film join Netflix’s streaming service on March 12th! Here’s the official UK art and trailer.

Portman stars as Lena, a biologist and former soldier, who joins a mission to uncover what happened to her husband inside Area X – a sinister and mysterious phenomenon that is expanding across the American coastline. Once inside, the expedition discovers a world of mutated landscape and creatures, as dangerous as it is beautiful, that threatens both their lives and their sanity.

One way in. No way out.

Now in theaters everywhere is Alex Garland‘s (Ex Machina, 28 Days Later) sci-fi thriller Annihilation, which stars Natalie Portman (Black Swan), Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Amityville: The Awakening, The Hateful Eight, “Twin Peaks”),Tessa Thompson (Creed, When a Stranger Calls), Gina Rodriguez, and Tuva Novotny.

Portman stars as Lena, a biologist and former soldier, who joins a mission to uncover what happened to her husband inside Area X – a sinister and mysterious phenomenon that is expanding across the American coastline. Once inside, the expedition discovers a world of mutated landscape and creatures, as dangerous as it is beautiful, that threatens both their lives and their sanity.

Bloody Disgusting has a super gross exclusive clip that gives a glimpse of the horrors that await Lena and her crew. When they come across a camera, the footage shows something horrifying – a soldier willingly allows another to cut into his stomach, revealing a massive, slimy worm-like creature that’s moving around in his stomach. Annihilation is looking pretty awesome!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnihilationMovie/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annihilationmovie/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnihilationMov

Update: Shortened headline.

This past weekend, Annihilation, Alex Garland’s follow-up to the critically acclaimed Ex Machina was released to an audience still drunk on the juice of purple vibranium flowers (read: Black Panther). Marvel’s newest comic book juggernaut not only topped the box office for the second week in a row, it managed to hold on so well at $108 million that it became the 2nd highest-second weekend ever (behind The Force Awakens). Yes, box office analysts love “records,” however specific they may be. The King of Wakanda wasn’t the only obstacle in Annihilation’s way. There was the new comedy Game Night and the kiddie holdover, controversy-riddled Peter Rabbit (my eyes only roll so far). After the receipts were tallied, Garland’s sci-fi brain melter pulled in around $12 million and settled into the number four spot. Its existence at your local multiplex is likely, itself, to be annihilated after next week.

Why should you give a damn, you may be wondering? The trailers portrayed this as nothing more than another mish-mash of sci-fi and action with some monstrous horror elements thrown in for good measure. Ya know, Aliens? Despite finding the advertising less than captivating, the film was on my radar for a couple of reasons. 1) I stumbled upon a handful of early reviews on Letterboxd claiming the movie was some sort of modern masterpiece. Intrigued. 2) Except for here in the US, Canada, and China the film would not be receiving a theatrical release. A deal was struck with THE streaming platform where difficult Hollywood titles go to “live,” Netflix.

The film is based on a best-selling trilogy of novels and adapted/directed by a man who’s built up mad street cred in the sci-fi world with films like 28 Days Later and Sunshine. It’s easy to see this appealing to Paramount on paper. That’s not even mentioning the amazing cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez and hunk-boat support from Oscar Isaac and David Gyasi. The story of a hardened group of scientists venturing beyond an alien forcefield, braving dangerous mutations in search of answers, seems like an easy sell, too.

Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time a fairly high profile sci-fi thriller with a modest budget got the dump. Apparently, after less than stellar test screenings, Paramount wanted drastic cuts and changes made to bolster the pic’s mainstream appeal. However, Annihilation’s producer, Scott Rudin (Ladybird, Ex Machina), had the power of final-cut to wield against the studio (which is growing rarer in today’s Hollywood climate). Rudin decided to back his filmmaker, and together, they refused to make the requested changes. Paramount was all like, “Well, fine then!” They pushed their $40 million investment off on Netflix. Point and match.

So, was this a similar situation to The Cloverfield Paradox? Early word stated Paramount felt that film was too intelligent for multiplex audiences. Yeah…it wasn’t. Paradox was just a muddy mess of ideas with a built-in “brainy” safety net to excuse all of its poor narrative choices. The likely truth was they just knew a bomb when they saw it. And, let’s face it, Paramount execs have recently had plenty of experience in that department. Was Annihilation going to be more of the same? I needed to find out for myself. Armed with nothing but my MoviePass and a few spare hours, I trekked to the moviehouse, plopped down in the dark of a sparsely filled auditorium, and experienced cinema. Yes, that last part may seem a sniff pretentious, but it’s apropos for the journey this film puts you through.

Obviously, I want you to go SEE the movie, so I’ll keep this relatively spoiler free. Keep in mind, though, some plot points will be discussed vaguely. So, enough of the preamble. Here’s why you should go out and “experience” Annihilation while it’s still in theaters!

Technical Specs

Film is a visual medium, and Annihilation is brought to life with some of the most gob-smackingly gorgeous visuals. The story unveils itself bit by bit as Portman’s Lena recalls the events leading up to her return from beyond the mysterious forcefield known as “The Shimmer.” She doesn’t remember everything. Details are foggy, and as an unreliable narrator, it’s possible not everything we see is a true representation of what actually happened. One thing Lena says, however, does ring exceptionally true. Some of the mutations beyond The Shimmer were horrifying, yet others were beautiful.

The production design on the film is top notch. What begins as “generic movie forest” morphs into overgrown brush of wildflowers – all different types, growing from the same vine. Some grow together into the form of a human, eerily watching our characters as they pass through this new, strange world. The deeper into The Shimmer, the more dangerous things become. And in turn, the more beautiful and abstract. This is a sumptuous experience that draws you in and practically begs you to search every corner of the screen for hidden details. This is what “the big screen” was made for. Better yet, this world is created with an exceptional blend of digital and practical. It would have been easy to take an entire CG paintbrush to the screen, but the impact would have been far less.

The Monsters

The same can be said of the creature effects. There are certain shots where I wasn’t sure if I was looking at latex or pixels. That’s the most difficult magic trick to pull off in film, and they did it. Make no mistake, though, this isn’t a “monster movie” in the traditional sense. But there are terrifying beasts forming within The Shimmer (that weren’t a part of the original source material). While these animals may not be the focus of the story Garland is trying to tell, they will surely linger in your imagination (or nightmares) long after walking away from the theater.

A specific scene highlighted in the marketing materials is head-on, white-knuckle horror. One of the mutations has taken on the voice of its victim, trapped in the painful final moments before death. If the promise of a screaming, skull-faced bear doesn’t get your ass to the movies, I’m not sure what will.

The Score

Beyond the cinematography and production design, there is a killer score from Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury (both from Ex Machina) that begins with quaint, almost folksy guitar before descending into a maddening wave of droning synth and nails-on-a-chalkboard strings. This is likely the first soundtrack outside of some rando Italian genre picture from the 70s/80s that I will gladly listen to in my car. Though, on second thought, that might not be advisable.

There is a large portion in the final third that plays out with almost no spoken dialogue. The score builds and builds, thrusting the psychedelic images forward. We’re firmly in 2001: A Space Odyssey territory. By the time the lights came up in the auditorium, I was practically stumbling to my car. I felt as if I’d just come out of a deep hypnosis. Powerful filmmaking or binaural beats buried within the film’s score? Maybe both?

Ultimately, I’m not going to call this a masterpiece as many have been quick to label it. I will say, it has the potential to become one. Temper your expectations, as it’s not perfect. Annihilation actually does share one thing in common with The Cloverfield Paradox. They both feature fairly straightforward, catch-all explanations for the overly complicated goings-on of their stories. The difference, in Paradox they use said catch-all as carte blanche to do whatever they want. Here, Garland uses it to open the door to even bigger questions and potential readings of the material. Just like The Shimmer, it can grow and change its meaning over time.

This is bonafide cinematic art on display at your local multiplex. It’s a film that snuck past the head honchos at Paramount, and they’re surely kicking themselves over it now. Show up, and don’t let “dumped to Netflix” become the new direct-to-video! Even if this film weren’t as good as it is, I would still be calling for more people to check it out. It’s important that cinema represents a wide swath of genres and styles.

The truth of the matter is this: Paramount was right! This movie doesn’t belong at “a theater near you!” But, dammit, be glad it’s there, and go buy yourself a ticket. 

Genre films had been soaring at the box office, at least until Black Panther annihilated the competition. MGM’s Eli Roth-directed Death Wish, already disappointing in its debut last weekend, totaled up to $23,875,301 on a reported $30M budget. Without an international to report (yet), it’s looking at a heft loss in the guesstimated $15M+ range. Even with rave reviews, Paramount Pictures’ Annihilation is struggling to find an audience. The genre mashup is sitting at $26M domestic on a $40M budget (with no international reported yet), offering a potential $25M loss. Brutal.

As for newer titles, Aviron’s Strangers: Prey at Night opened to $10.5M, which isn’t necessarily terrible, but also isn’t anything to boast about. There’s no reported budget, but an educated guess would put it around $5M, and depending on the film’s marketing spend, the Johannes Roberts-directed sequel would need about $30M worldwide to hit the profit zone. I expect it to top $20M here in the States, so an international run and sales will be key to its financial success.

Lastly, Rob Cohen’s The Hurricane Heist unsurprisingly bombed horrifically debuting with only $3M on a $35M budget.

There’s plenty more horror to come this year, so hopefully, the genre can quickly regain its footing better than Cohen can direct an action sequence…

If you missed it in theaters, you won’t have to wait much longer to watch Alex Garland’s Annihilation (read our review) at home. Via Paramount Home Media Distribution, Garland’s latest sci-fi masterpiece debuts on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital combo pack and DVD on May 29, 2018. Prior to that, it’s hitting Digital on May 22.

In Annihilation…

“Biologist and former soldier Lena (Natalie Portman) is shocked when her missing husband (Oscar Isaac) comes home near death from a top-secret mission into The Shimmer, a mysterious quarantine zone no one has ever returned from. Now, Lena and her elite team must enter a beautiful, deadly world of mutated landscapes and creatures, to discover how to stop the growing phenomenon that threatens all life on Earth.

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, and Tuva Novotny also star.

Special Features include:

• Part 1 – SOUTHERN REACH
  • Refractions – See how director Alex Garland created the tone, textures and color palettes for the various film environments on set.
  • For Those That Follow – Listen to the cast’s perspective on their roles and learn why they found the story so intriguing.
• Part 2 – AREA X
  • Shimmer – See how filmmakers transformed real set locations to create the world of Annihilation.
  • Vanished into Havoc – Check out all the action as cast and crew walk you through the mind-blowing stunts and special effects.
• Part 3 – TO THE LIGHTHOUSE
  • Unfathomable Mind – Learn why the visual effects are integral to achieving director Alex Garland’s overall vision for Annihilation.
  • The Last Phase – Listen to the cast and crew share their fondest memories from filming Annihilation.

Check out the combo pack’s cover art below.

Between David Bruckner’s The Ritual and Alex Garland’s Annihilation, this year has already been an INCREDIBLE one for terrifying, wholly unique creature designs. The former film can be found on Netflix, while the latter film, a boldly original near-masterpiece for the sci-fi/horror genre, is available on Digital HD this week ahead of DVD/Blu-ray on May 29.

The majority of Annihilation is set inside “The Shimmer,” an alien-modified realm where nothing is quite as it is in our world. Essentially, the DNA of humans, animals and plants collides inside the shimmer, resulting in mutations that are sometimes beautiful and sometimes completely horrifying. You may, for example, stumble across a field of magical flowers that are from entirely different species but are somehow growing from the same plant, and the serenity may then be shattered by the arrival of A HUNGRY NIGHTMARE BEAR.

The most terrifying scene in Annihilation plays out similarly to the iconic “blood test” scene from John Carpenter’s The Thing, with most of the female leads strapped to chairs as their friend loses her mind and contemplates killing them. And then the aforementioned nightmare bear (nicknamed “Dexter” by the effects team) shows up, turning the terror up to eleven and brutally attacking one of the characters in a kill scene that reminds of the infamous bear attack in The Revenant. But this bear isn’t just any bear. In fact, it’s not entirely a “bear” at all.

Its design inspired by diseased animals, the bear creature in Annihilation is missing large portions of its fur, and a human skull has literally embedded itself into the animal’s head. Again, “The Shimmer” is a place where all kinds of DNA intermingle in simply impossible ways, and the bear seems to be literally absorbing the humans it kills. In addition to the human skull that has incorporated itself into the bear’s own skull, it also emits the death screams of its latest victims, and even has a row of human teeth inside of its mouth.

It’s not okay on any level. Not okay at all.

What we see of the creature in Annihilation is more than enough to send chills up the spine, but if you were hoping to see more of the incredible design, you’ll be happy to know that there’s an entire featurette devoted to the creature’s design and execution on the DVD/Blu-ray. And /Film just got their hands on an exclusive excerpt from that feaurette.

Check out the creature in all its glory below…

Today marks the home video release of Ex Machina director Alex Garland’s Annihilation, now available on DVD and Blu-ray. The Natalie Portman-starring sci-fi/horror film was well received by critics even if it wasn’t a financial success, but it’s unquestionably the sort of movie that’s going to amass a huge fanbase in the years to come.

So then, would Garland ever be interested in returning to The Shimmer for a sequel? Speaking with Indiewire, Garland emphatically drove a stake into the heart of that one.

“I’ve got no objection to someone else doing that, but I’m not interested in the idea of a sequel,” Garland told the site. “I feel like we made this movie and this is the movie we made.”

[Related] Want to See the Nightmarish Monster Bear from ‘Annihilation’ in All Its Glory?

He continued, “When the thing is done, I am done with it. I instantly start moving on, so I don’t even have an opinion on an Annihilation sequel. All the way through I was clear with everyone, from the studio to the cast, I told everyone that I didn’t really see it as part of a franchise. My goal was to make this film and do the best job I can. I didn’t even conceptualize it as the start of a trilogy. Sequels are just not something I’m interested in doing. I just don’t do sequels.”

It’s worth noting that Jeff VanderMeer’s 2014 novel Annihilation, which the movie was based on, was the first novel in a series called The Southern Reach Trilogy.