Ryan Lynch - Annihilation

Annihilation is one of the most daring science fiction films I have seen in a long time.  The characters gradual descent into confusion and madness when inside the shimmer was fascinating to watch.  While it may be tough to find religious connections within this films narrative and themes, one can find a decent amount of philosophical presence.  The shimmer showed the ultimate powerlessness of humanity in the face of the unknown.  Despite our innovations and accomplishments, humans still remain defenseless when faced with an entity that we have no experience with.  The film is also a great allegory for evil vs good, and what the true nature of evil is.  The shimmer is clearly a dangerous place, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is evil.  It is just a part of its reality, just like a shark may seem scary and evil, but it must kill to survive, that does not mean it is an evil animal it is only adapting to its circumstances.  The shimmer can be looked at in the same sense, this is exemplified by the metallic copy created in the lighthouse.  It was just born and it clearly has no other idea of how to survive other than mirror its companion.  Its conscience isn't malicious, and its intentions aren't to harm.  The humans in the shimmer may view this as evil when faced with the dangers, but this is not the reality of the situation.  A parasite that is merely trying to adapt and survive, that is all the shimmer really is at its core, not an evil being.

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