Natalie Portman takes her whack at a sci-fi story, playing a biologist who joins a mission to penetrate the “shimmer” (one of the dumbest visual effects in recent films). She and a crew of 4 other women set out to find what’s causing this mysterious phenomenon, but they do so very slowly. There are some interesting visuals and one scary scene (the sloth-like monster), but most of its suspense is doled out with lots of anticipation and ominous music. Ultimately, there’s a compelling creepiness that propels this puzzle forward, although at a glacial pace.
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