The word ‘‘Annihilation’’ has two definitions–
First is the literal meaning: completely destroyed or obliterated.
Second is Annihilation in Physics: The collision of particle and anti-particle (positive and negative entity) yields a transformation of a new particle-antiparticle-pair.
The 2018 film by Alex Garland explores the world’s imminent end, but there must be an entity that replaces it after the Annihilation. The Ex-Machina director has interpreted both definitions of the word Annihilation in the movie, and it is mighty terrifying.
What Was the Meaning Behind Annihilation?
Physics Aspect of Annihilation:
Supposedly, a meteor hits Earth, targeting a specific lighthouse. After which, a border starts forming around the perimeter, referred to as the “Shimmer.” To understand the basic concept behind this formation, here is an easy demonstration:
This concept is applied to magnifying glasses, lenses, rainbows, and prisms. In a prism, one ray of light disperses into a band of various colors. Similarly, the Shimmer appears to be a result of some kind of refraction.
In actuality, the Shimmer is much more than just an encapsulation; it is actually an entity, referred to as alien in the movie, protecting an electromagnetic field around the lighthouse. But strange occurrences around this field, like a mutation of lifeforms, a hybrid of species, imitation of DNA, and duplication of places and people, defy the laws of nature.
One interpretation of the Shimmer can be that it is a refraction of the actual world of humans, where everything is reflected (sound, light, radio waves, animal DNA, plant DNA, and all DNA ) but with different dimensions. Simply put– our world is the particle….their world is the anti-particle.
The government declares this region a danger zone, considering that no one has come alive after entering– called Area X.
The Human Tendency of Annihilation:
Now we tap into the philosophy of the movie.
Kane (Oscar Isaac) and other soldiers enter Area X hoping to find answers. However, a year passes, and they are assumed to be dead. That is until Kane shows up alive and is immediately taken into the government’s custody.
Here we are introduced to our main characters. Kane’s wife, Lena, comes to visit him in the facility. Lena, played by Natalie Portman, is a biologist and a former soldier. She is searching for her husband’s unanswered disappearance and return, and the only way to find out is to enter Area X herself.
The most experienced member, Dr. Ventress (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh), forms a tactical task force to enter the Shimmer, coincidentally being an all-women’s team.
But let’s back up a bit and revisit the first definition of Annihilation: “complete destruction,” the movie wants to explore what happens with self-destruction. Though highly capable in their field, each woman in the team hides a self-destructive tendency.
| Member | Occupation | Secret |
| Lena | Biologist | Cheated on her husband when he was on call of duty. |
| Dr. Ventress | Psychologist | Is battling cancer |
| Anya Thorenen (Gina Rodriguez) | Paramedic | Addicted to drugs |
| Josie Radek (Tessa Thompson) | Physicist | Inflicts self-harm/ cuts herself. |
| Cass Sheppard (Tuva Novotny) | Geologist | Grieving at the loss of her daughter to leukemia |
Each woman has an internal battle of her own, some having major self-destructive patterns.
The team finally enters the Shimmer and studies the early stages of cell divisions and mutations. The peculiar alligator with shark teeth, an identical set of deers, and hybrid plants taking human form, and this majestic discovery is only the start of what’s to come.
However, none of the members can estimate the time in this realm. It is supposed to be the effect of refraction, where they are even able to survive without eating for months.
The mutations are increasing rapidly, indicating that the Shimmer will soon multiply if it keeps going at this rate, covering the entire world. Here is when this world takes an ugly turn when one by one, the members are brutally murdered.
Please watch the bear scene for the most horrifying experience in the horror genre.
The Cell Mutation phase:
Josie reckons that their cells are undergoing refraction. Lena is steadfast in getting to the bottom of what happened to her husband. She is ready to fight it. Upon entering the lighthouse, she finally encounters her doppelganger. She hands over a grenade to her replica to save the world and runs from the lighthouse, watching her counterpart burn to ashes.
Was That Lena at the End of Annihilation?
Before she destroyed her doppelganger, Lena got hold of the tape recording of her husband’s final moments. She realized that the man that came back was not her husband. After surviving the Shimmer, she confronts him and gets a terrifying confirmation that it is not Kane as his eyes glow.
But just as we were focusing on Kane, the movie threw another curve ball– how are we not questioning Lena’s true self? Did she really return as herself from the Shimmer?
Why Did Lena’s Eyes Glow at the End of Annihilation?
The movie leaves us with an ambiguous ending, as the last scene shows that Lena’s eyes are glowing too. Since there is no closure, this is our interpretation–
The final clash between Lena and her replica must have released energy on collision. Although we saw the replica burn, who is to tell Lena is a reliable narrator? What if the collision created a new entity of a hybrid of Lena and her doppelganger? Her existence is evidence that the world is headed for doom as the Shimmer continues refraction.
What is your interpretation of the movie? Some theories even suggest that the entire movie is an allegory to cancer. Do you agree with this theory? What was the most terrifying scene in the movie?
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Hobie Brown was confirmed to be 19 to 20 years old by the directors