I suffered through Ex Machina because a tech buddy said it was "very telling for the future of AI". No. It wasn't. I suffered through a portion of 28 Days Later, because I was on a weathered in, horror binge, and it was "recommended" (also because: Dr Who). I never connected the 2.......until Annihilation. Trademark Alex, yes. Good viewing, no. Plot holes (and general reason, in my opinion) not only abound, as mentioned in many, many, reviews, but it's just pain bad, bad, bad. The 2 stars are solely for the well done CGI - and good writer/director/producers, should use this company to their fullest. The remainder can be tossed in the bin.