Natalie Portman Stars In The Smartest Sci-Fi Movie On Netflix
Sure, when it comes to Natalie Portman and sci-fi most people’s minds go to her role as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel films, but it’s with her role in Alex Garland’s 2018 film, Annihilation that the Garden State actress is seeing current streamer-topping success. FlixPatrol reveals that the title is currently dominating the sci-fi charts on Netflix where subscribers can catch the drama unfold in the absolutely one-of-a-kind film.
Mixing your typical sci-fi standard with a horror twist, Annihilation follows the story of a team of explorers who have set out to learn more about a sealed-off zone known only as “The Shimmer.” From what they understand, the quarantined area hosts an array of ever-changing plants and animals, something that’s been said to be caused by aliens.
But when they enter for themselves, they’ll find more questions than answers. Along with Natalie Portman, the film also stars Oscar Isaac, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny, and Gina Rodriguez.
Natalie Portman stars in Annihilation, currently one of Netflix‘s top sci-fi films.
Like many great sci-fi films that have come before it and will come after it, Annihilation was based on a novel that was penned by Jeff VanderMeer in 2014. One of the production team’s first goals was to ensure that Natalie Portman would sign on for the leading role, something that the Black Swan star gladly did under her own filming terms.
Backlash Over Natalie Portman’s Casting
Ultimately though, both Portman and Leigh’s castings would face backlash with the fandom as their characters in the books were depicted as Asian and mixed-race and half-indigenous, respectively, with many calling for those fitting that background to be recast in their places.
As we know, both Jennifer Jason Leigh and Natalie Portman would keep their jobs on the project, which went into production in 2016. While the title wasn’t a straight-to-Netflix release, first celebrating a theatrical drop, it was only playing in cinemas for one month before it was made available on the streamer.
Whether audiences just weren’t hyped on the production or if they knew they could soon watch it from home, the global box office numbers didn’t hit the markers they were hoping for, bringing in only $43.1 million against the film’s $40-55 million production budget.
Still, despite not being a financial success, Annihilation was a hit among fans and critics alike and currently holds a well-earned score of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. As one could expect, the performances by the stacked leading cast including Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac are cited as being a major draw for the film while the VFX are also given their fair share of praise.
Known for his incredible VFX work on the 2015 psychological thriller Ex Machina, it came as no surprise to anyone that Garland’s follow-up feature would be packed to the brim with the same amount of impressive effects.
Again, even though the box office numbers didn’t quite hit the level the team behind Annihilation was hoping for, the film has managed to gain a cult following over the last few years and is even one of Natalie Portman’s highest-ranking films on Rotten Tomatoes. It finds itself alongside the likes of Black Swan, both Thor and Thor: The Dark World, Jackie, and V for Vendetta just to name a few.
What’s Next for Natalie Portman?
While she may have taken her final bow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Jane Foster in last summer’s blockbuster hit Thor: Love and Thunder, Natalie Portman isn’t showing any signs of taking a break from the bright lights of Hollywood.
The critically acclaimed actress most recently appeared opposite Julianne Moore in Todd Haynes’ romantic drama, May December, a project that she was also attached to as an executive producer.
Along with being attached to a handful of TV projects in a narrative capacity, audiences will soon see Natalie Portman return to the small screen in a series titled Lady in the Lake.
Based on Laura Lippman’s novel of the same name, the show follows a journalist who becomes obsessed with unraveling the truth behind two seemingly unrelated murders. As of right now, Lady in the Lake doesn’t have a set release but, when it does, it will stream exclusively on Apple TV+.
While you’re waiting for Natalie Portman’s TV series, you can get your fix by heading to Netflix to catch Garland’s sci-fi horror, Annihilation.
