Natalie Portman is subjected to a bizarre interrogation in the first teaser for Alex Garland’s hotly anticipated follow-up to “Ex-Machina,” “Annihilation.” After returning home from leading a group of female scientists to mysterious, dangerous, and remote terrain known as Area X, we see Portman’s character, known as The Biologist, being questioned about her experience. She’s asked to “describe its form,” asked if “it” is “carbon-based,” and asked if “it” communicated with her. “It reacted to me,” is all she can offer. What “it” is isn’t made crystal clear — but glimpses we’re shown of otherworldly-looking Area X suggests that “it” is an alien of some kind, and one that’s potentially hostile.
The focus of the spot is on The Biologist, but “Annihilation” boasts a stellar ensemble cast including Jennifer Jason Leigh (“Atypical”), Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”), Tessa Thompson (“Dear White People”), Tuva Novotny (“A War”), and Oscar Isaac (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”), the latter of whom plays The Biologist’s husband — the reason she ventured to Area X.
Check out the visually stunning trailer for “Annihilation” below. The sci-fi film is based on Jeff VanderMeer novel of the same name, which is part of a series, so “Annihilation” has franchise potential. The pic hits theaters February 23, 2018.
