I must admit, as I sit down to write this review I'm a bit lost, as I'm still mostly thinking what Joel said at the end of this movie - "What the heck did I just watch?" The movie was stunning visually and used music to really drive home a feeling of being on edge, uncertain, off kilter. It was well acted and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, waiting and wanting to find out what was going to happen next.
This movie explores the character of Lena (Natalie Portman), and her story told in flashbacks to some sort of authority interviewing her about her experience. We begin with her grieving the loss of her husband to some mysterious military mission. When he returns suddenly he turns out to be dying, and is rushed to a military medical center with Lena by his side. It turns out he was part of a team to enter and explore the "shimmer" - a mysterious phenomenon enveloping a state park - many have entered and none, save Kane (Oscar Isaac) have returned. In hopes of finding answers and perhaps a way to save her husband, Lena volunteers to be a part of the next mission to enter the shimmer.
She joins a five person all female scientist team and they venture forth. As they cross the divide and begin to explore the scenery is magical and captivating, suspense is built in real ways and some moments were completely terrifying. I kept hoping that as they moved further into this new world more answers would be found, things would begin to become more clear. Until the final moment I was pulled in, hoping for at least a few answers. But alas, there was no payout in the end. Perhaps I am just not evolved enough to appreciate a story that leaves me with more questions than answers, but I was left wanting more plot, more explanation, more reason for watching the story develop over two hours. It's not quite enough for me to appreciate the journey for what it is, I wanted it go somewhere, and sadly I feel that this did not.
Others I'm sure will enjoy it very much (as evidenced by critic ratings) but overall it was just not my kind of movie!