Having made the excellent Ex Machina as his directorial debut, Alex Garland is back in sci-fi territory for this next film, Annihilation. The first teaser trailer is now online...
The likes of Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez and Tessa Thompson feature in the film, adapted from Jeff VanderMeer's book. Annihilation chronicles an expedition into a mysterious, remote and sealed-off zone known as Area X. For 30 years, Area X has been labelled by the government as an environmental disaster zone, despite all appearances to the contrary. And for all that time, a secret agency called the Southern Reach has monitored Area X and sent in expeditions to try to discover the truth. Some expeditions have suffered terrible consequences. Others have reported nothing out of the ordinary.
Now, as it to be changing and perhaps expanding, the next investigation will attempt to succeed where all others have failed. What is happening in the zone? What is the true nature of the invisible border that surrounds it? Portman is a biologist looking for answers to her husband’s disappearance as part of an earlier expedition. She and her colleagues soon discover though it looks peaceful, all is definitely not what it seems and that they’re being manipulated.
The teaser promises an atmospheric, terrifying tale, and showcases Garland's skill for blending the bizarre and the very human. Annihilation will be out 23 February next year.
Natalie Portman In Early Talks For Alex Garland's Annihilation