Alex Garland continues his legendary track record, with credits on 28 Days Later, Sunshine, Dredd, and more recently, Ex Machina. His latest outing, and only second directorial work, is a loose adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer’s acclaimed mind-fuck novel, Annihilation. Though surrounded by a weak marketing campaign, and very questionable release plan, this mind-bending sci-fi thriller is well worth seeing in theaters while you can.

Annihilation finds biologist and former soldier, Lena, grieving for her missing husband (and fellow soldier), gone these 12 months following a covert mission. When her husband suddenly shows up, disoriented, amnesiac, and extremely sick, Lena is soon scooped up and taken to the Southern Reach. It seems an inexplicable phenomena is engulfing an ever-growing area of land, and all who enter it to investigate and research fail to return. Obsessed with saving her husband, and solving the mystery of this “Area X,” Lena joins a team of female soldiers and scientists to enter Area X, and discover the origin of its strange “shimmer,” and hopefully stop its spread.

“What did it want?”

Annihilation utilizes its all female cast incredibly well. Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Tessa Thompson all turn in wonderful performances. And while the reasoning behind the all female team isn’t explored (unlike the novel), it adds a refreshing take to the usual trope of a ragtag group of strangers in a strange land. Natalie Portman, great as always, puts out the right balance of academic bookworm and trained fighter, never seeming out of her element.

The adventure itself, hits a downward spiral into the strange and alien quite fast, wasting no time throwing your expectations out the window. This Guy really doesn’t want to overstep and talk too much, as the film is best experienced if you go in blind. But rest assured, it contains creative, original themes and elements that will stick with you. It has incredible scares, creature effects, and body horror that would make Cronenberg blush. The themes are thought-provoking, and the drama real and intense. The visuals, sound, and music are top notch and engrossing. This sci-fi gem could and should be an instant classic.

“It was making something new.”

Do your best to avoid spoilers, and get out to see Annihiliation while you can. See it on the biggest, loudest screen you can, and just sit back and enjoy. Unfortunately, with its international release hitting Netflix in just a couple weeks, millions of people will miss that opportunity. Much like Blade Runner 2049, beautiful, intelligent sci-fi may not get its due. But Alex Garland proves once again that he is right at the top of the pile for great sci-fi minds, and hopefully continues to deliver these intimate stories of exploring the strange, the unknown, and the depths of our inner-selves.