Opened: February 23, 2018

Directed by: Alex Garland

Starring: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny, Oscar Isaac, Benedict Wong & Sonoya Mizuno

Annihilation is a great science fiction film with a majority female cast – which is not the norm for this genre – but the ending of the film is a letdown compared to everything that builds it up.

After her husband Kane (Oscar Isaac) returns home changed from the Shimmer – leftovers from a fallen meteor – biologist Lena (Natalie Portman) joins a group of female scientists led by Dr. Ventress (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who head into the Shimmer to learn more about its environment.

The world inside the Shimmer though frightening at times is visually stunning. The creatures within are similar to our animals, but with slight differences that make them otherworldly.

Lena’s final scene in the Shimmer feels like a cheap action film and will leave you wishing they chose a different ending.

Final say: Fantastic for the first two-thirds. ★★★☆☆