Annihilation movie ending explained: What happened in that final scene?

Annihilation is visually stunning with a stellar cast. It’s a terrifying journey you’ll want to watch a second time. But WHAT happened, exactly?

Spoiler ahead, obviously…

Annihilation is the biggest mind-bending shocker you’ll see this year. And even though we’re only two months into 2018, this part psychological thriller, part horror sci-fi is tough to beat! But as much as we loved it, the movie (based on Jeff VanderMeer novel of the same name) also left us a bit confused. Final warning to stop reading if you’ve yet to catch the film in theaters!

We caught an advanced screening of the film and were as confused as you are as the end credits rolled. It takes a while for audiences to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Not to mention, in a way, it’s up to our interpretation what really happened. Or rather, why that happened.

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The final scene shows Lena (Natalie Portman) back from the Shimmer requesting to see her husband Kane (Oscar Isaac). Kane himself recently returned from the Shimmer, but isn’t acting like himself.

Audiences gasp as Lena, while inside the Shimmer, discovers that the Kane who mysteriously appeared in her home is not really the man she married. The “real” Kane committed suicide in the Shimmer after discovering what the alien entity that crashed in the lighthouse really is.

So the question is — If Lena knows “it” (let’s call it Shimmer) isn’t really Kane, why does she want to see Shimmer? Why not warn everyone else that Kane is an impostor? Why, after Shimmer tells Lena that it’s not Kane, does she embrace Shimmer? Okay, that was more than one question (and a lot of Shimmer). In my opinion, there are two explanations:

#1 Lena became Shimmer the moment Shimmer took Lena’s blood

It’s possible that Lena, and all others, became Shimmer as soon as they entered. After all, it needs to only touch you to get your DNA. But all creatures react differently. As we see in the movie, some mutate into different species, others become horrifying wall-art. Once Shimmer captures a drop of Lena’s blood to fully embody Lena, the real Lena ceased to exist. Lena’s memories are still there, but Shimmer is inside, slowly taking over the wheel. This explains why Lena is so eager to see her husband and embraces him knowing what he is. Its own self.

Next: Will there be a sequel to Annihilation?

#2 The Shimmer has spread

Lena lost her husband long before Kane left to the Shimmer mission. She was unfaithful and he was never home. But Lena still loves him. Escaping the Shimmer is literally a second chance at life and her marriage. Lena doesn’t care who’s in Kane’s body, she just wants to be with him. As soon as the two hug, Shimmer-Kane spreads the Shimmer to Lena. And they’ll continue spreading the Shimmer to others.

The explanation I’m leaning towards more is the latter. What are your thoughts? Do you agree with any of the above or have your own interpretation?

Annihilation is now in theaters.