Annihilation: book vs movie
Directed by Alex Garland, 'Annihilation' (2018) is a movie based on the bestselling novel by Jeff VanderMeer having the same title. However, 'Annihilation' the book and the movie are works totally different from each other. The changes in the plot of the 'Annilation' movie compared to the book are visibly noticable, as well as the character-building and development. Most imortantly, the portrayal of the Area X differs the most in the movie in comparison to the original novel.
'Annihilation': book vs movie plot
Both the movie and the book 'Annihilation' are the story of the Area X, the mysterious place at the US coast, separated from the outside world.
With unknown origin and purpose, the Area X changes the landscape and the biological envrionment of the coast it is placed in. The Southern Reach, a secret government organisation, sends various expedition to examine the Area X.
One of the expeditions, the 12th one, contains of four scientists. One of them is the main characer of 'Annihilation', the Biologist. She lost her husband because of his expedition to the Area X, and now, she want to know what killed her love.
The character of the Area X in 'Annihilation': book vs movie
In the original books, the Area X is the most uncanny object ever seen to men. However, it is not evil by the human definition. The Area X isn't a being that thinks or has any awareness, thus it can't have morality. While the Area X may hurt humans, it isn't aware of its actions.
The Area X does odd things to the biological organisms that enter it. It is visible also in the 'Annihilation' movie, whose Area X modify the genom of biosphere, for instance the flowers in the Abandoned Village.
However, after reading the original 'Southern Reach' trilogy, you easily come to the conclusion that the Area X isn't in fact the villain.
It just restore the status quo of the coastal envrionment destroyed by humans. In the movie 'Annihilation', the Area X is degraded to the role of a villain. It kills people, despite not having any motivation according to the original novel. It doesn't suit the nature of the Area X. So why was it the choice of the director to change the character of the Area X so badly?
The topographical anomaly in book s movie
The Topographical Anomaly, also known as the Tunnel or the Tower, is the core of Jeff VanderMeer's story. It is the uncanny underground structure. With the Crawler lurking in the dark and the biblical words written by this creature, the Tunnel is the turning point of discovering the truth about the Area X.
And going down the Tunnel with the scientists is the most engaging point of the whole expedition. It make you seat on the eadge of your chair and ask: what the heck is going on down there?! I remember that the Topographical Anomaly was the aspect of 'Annihilation' that made me realise I had the best horror and sci-fi book in my hands.
However, the movies completely forgets about this important element of the plot! I don't understand why it wasn't made a part of the movie. Without the Tower, the whole suspense disappears. It is also a underestimation of the role of Saul Evans, the lighthouse keeper who is the key to the secret of the Area X in the Jeff VanderMeer's novel.
The commercialisation of the area x in the 2018 movie
All those differences between the movie and the books leads to my conclusion that 'Annihilation' couldn't have been turned into a good movie. Firstly, the movie seems like created to be profit-oriented than to tell the great story 'Annihilation' is.
The degradation of the plot, compared to the unnecesary brutality and violence, creates the movie easy to be liked by a simple viewer. Secondly, I guess the fact how unique work 'Annihilatio' is, doesn't help the case of making a screen version. Except the plot, the form itself of 'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer is pretty complex.
The novel is in fact a journal of the Biologist. Her thoughts, fears, hopes are written in this journal and a reader is the one to explore her inner life. It make the book very personal to read, but dificult to adapt. It is impossible to create such effect in any movie. Thus, I believe that expecting the same story to be told in the movie when it comes to a work even similar to 'Annihilation.
What first: 'Annihilation' book or movie?
To sum up, 'Annihilation' the book and the movie are works just incomparable. It was just too hard to adapt to a movie. And if you are thinking: what to do first, watch the movie or read the book, I would start with the movie. If you read the book first, you will just be left unsatisfied after the movie. However, I am not saying that the movie is bad, not at all. Even as a psychofan of the books by VanderMeer, I must admit that this movie is a good one, especially - very engaging. Furthermore, the landscapes and the artwork are breathtaking! Thus, as a beginner in the universe of 'Annihilation', you should just leave the best to the very end and start with a film show!
