Annihilation - Movie Reviews (2024)

Even with some high-concept brilliance, the confusing story and narration fail to hold the film together.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Mar 23, 2024

Like any great masterpiece, dismissal is inherent, but for those who enter The Shimmer, its effect is both numinous and real.

Full Review | Feb 6, 2024

Alex Garland's trippy little cosmic horror film manages to awe, horrify and perplex all at the same time. A modern classic.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | May 31, 2023

A cerebral mix of philosophy and science fiction, Annihilation features stunning production design, enigmatic and complex performances from its female cast, and a divisive (albeit perfectly in keeping with the narrative) ending. Sublime and surreal.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | May 25, 2023

With five female leads including Natalie Portman, this intelligent story featuring a bear scene as memorable as The Revenant's is unique in more ways than one.

Full Review | Apr 20, 2023

“We’re all damaged goods here.” This seemingly inconsequential line of dialogue is one of several keys to unlocking the secrets of Alex Garland’s trippy science-fiction mindbender.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Aug 19, 2022

What might be a smearing hindrance for some is a emblem of brilliancy to others, because the film could land either way,

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 14, 2022

For every moment of visceral horror, there are several more whose sublimity both haunts and astounds.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Mar 14, 2022

[Annihilation] balances being cerebral sci-fi with effective horror, compelling characters, and jaw-dropping visuals that will brand themselves into your brain.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Dec 29, 2021

Annihilation proves writer/director Alex Garland's exhilarating filmmaking style is a breath of fresh air to the science-fiction genre and Hollywood altogether.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Nov 21, 2021

Comparisons to H.P. Lovecraft's seminal The Color Out of Space are very valid, but Annihilation has its own story to tell.

Full Review | Oct 29, 2021

Garland's film is a taut, terse, and macabre ecological horror thriller.

Full Review | Oct 19, 2021

Just science fiction at its best. It's got great performances, great color, good music, and more than a few mind-blowing reveals.

Full Review | Original Score: 8.3/10 | Aug 14, 2021

There are moments where its reach outdoes its grasp but I'll take that any day over a Transformers movie that just gobbles up everything like a maelstrom of mindless metal shards.

Full Review | Jul 2, 2021

I truly enjoyed every single moment of this film... once you understand what the story's about and the deeper meaning behind Natalie Portman's character. the story is just a beautiful package, beautifully sold.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Apr 16, 2021

From annihilation comes absolution. You can hardly have one without the other.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 7, 2021

A visually gorgeous movie following a group of women on a quest. A nuanced looked at women in the sci-fi genre.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 4, 2021

Starts off slowly but becomes more scary and suspenseful as it goes along.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 20, 2020

This triumphant, devastating, unknowable sci-fi defies the explanation it cries out for, even as it invites you to suggest more.

Full Review | Dec 15, 2020

The cast is exceptional, portraying relatable, sympathetic souls marching through biological wonders and terrors, which feature stunning set designs and decorations.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Dec 5, 2020