Animals 2026 Movie Review
Ben Affleck’s latest directorial effort is a kidnapping thriller rife with moral tension. While not his best work, it proves to be a more solid film than many expect. Following Argo and The Town, Affleck once again demonstrates his directing prowess, this time with a more measured approach, aware that he’s fulfilling a Netflix production. Even so, he manages to craft a competent thriller, unpretentious but with just the right touches to leave a good impression.
Ben Affleck, who stars alongside Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun, and Luis Gerardo Méndez, plays a Los Angeles mayoral candidate who, along with his wife, becomes entangled in a dangerous web of deceit when their son is kidnapped. As they race against time to raise the ransom money, they must make decisions that could jeopardize everything they hold dear.
Affleck’s film presents us with a movie that handles the familiar tropes of the genre well. While it has some successes, it generally plays it safe in terms of plot and development. At times, it attempts to be a relationship drama, but this doesn’t prevent the tension inherent in a thriller from remaining constant. In my opinion, Ben Affleck is a very good director, and glimpses of his talent are noticeable in this film, especially in its second half. However, I don’t consider it his best work, either as a director or as an actor.
It boasts a strong supporting cast, and while everyone performs adequately, they manage to sustain the script’s intentions at its best moments and prevent the film from faltering in its weaker scenes. Even so, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable film; it doesn’t break new ground or rank among the year’s best, but it offers a more satisfying experience than many might expect.
The key is understanding where the film is going and how to approach it. It’s clearly a streaming service film, but it offers more than just a catalog entry. It boasts solid staging and cinematography, and delivers what it aims to offer the viewer. If you grasp this, you’ll enjoy it much more, especially if you appreciate the TV movie feel that’s subtly present.
Animals turns out to be a successful gamble for Netflix. It’s not their most outstanding production of the year, despite the great cast and a director who knows what he’s doing. However, they deliver a film that works, aware of its strengths and weaknesses, and seeks to balance both to satisfy most viewers. Personally, I had a pleasant time watching it and it managed to pique my interest in what it has to offer.
