Annihilation Review: 8 Ups & 2 Downs

4. The Excellent Supporting Cast

Natalie Portman leads an accomplished, capable and primarily female cast who also contribute hugely to the film's success. Of particular mention are Tuva Novotny, Gina Rodriguez and Jennifer Jason Leigh as the more fleshed-out members of Lena's unit, while Tessa Thompson's rather forgettable physicist character conversely feels disappointing underdeveloped.

Rodriguez is especially good as the hot-headed, fiery-tempered medic Anya, and Leigh brings every bit of skill to the table you'd reasonably expect.

Garland's prior collaborator Oscar Isaac isn't in the movie too much, but he certainly makes his scenes count, and ably helps form the story's emotional core.

It's Portman's show, but everyone around her clearly appreciates how special the material here truly is.