Ben Affleck returned behind the camera on Friday as his sixth directorial effort, the kidnapping thriller “Animals,” debuted on Netflix and in select theaters, drawing a sharply divided response from film critics.
The film stars Affleck as Mark Kimball, an ambitious Los Angeles attorney running for mayor whose bank account has been drained by self-funding his political race. On Halloween, Kimball and his wife, Abigail, portrayed by Kerry Washington, face a sudden crisis when a mysterious caller demands a $7 million ransom for their young son. To raise the money, the candidate turns to a ruthless crisis broker named Dayle Burton, played by Gillian Anderson, who offers the cash alongside high fees and darker alternatives, according to reviews published across several entertainment outlets.
A blend of satire, crime, and domestic conflict
Co-written by Affleck alongside Billy Ray and Connor O. McIntyre, the feature weaves together political ambition, marital secrets, and class disparities. The narrative also incorporates the Kimballs’ Mexican housekeeper, Cecilia, played by Adriana Paz, and her undocumented partner Ramon, played by Luis Gerardo Méndez. Multiple reviews noted that the premise mirrors Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic “High and Low,” with Deadline reporting that the kidnapping plot pivots after revealing that the wrong child was taken.
Reviewers diverged substantially on whether the resulting blend of genres succeeded. Variety characterized the 106-minute movie as a “tart, nasty diversion” that thrives on Affleck’s efficient pacing and star wattage, crediting him with anchoring a story laden with pulpy twists even when the narrative turns improbable.
Other critics proved far less forgiving. IndieWire dismissed the film as an underwritten, flat thriller resembling “bad TV,” arguing that the story strands its talented cast in repetitive arguments without delivering cinematic style. Writing for /Film, reviewer Chris Evangelista similarly noted that the project fails to build genuine tension, relying on characters shouting at one another and frantic camera movements rather than authentic suspense.
Praise for Gillian Anderson’s flamboyant fixer
Despite divergent reactions to the screenplay, reviewers consistently highlighted Anderson’s appearance as the immaculate, sharp-tongued broker who intervenes in the Kimballs’ all-night ordeal. Outlets noted her striking styling, including tailored suits and an icy delivery, with several critics calling her campy interpretation an entertaining high point amid the domestic turmoil.
Praise was also directed at the film’s brisk rhythm, overseen by veteran editors William Goldenberg and Christopher Rouse. Deadline reported that during a packed theatrical screening, viewers actively engaged with the escalating twists, describing the thriller as a propulsive crowd-pleaser despite over-the-top acting and narrative leaps that push credulity.
The production, backed by producers including Affleck and Matt Damon, also features Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Elswit, though some critics lamented that the visual style appeared tailored primarily for small streaming displays.
With “Animals” now available to global streaming audiences, early viewership figures will soon show whether the star-studded kidnapping tale resonates more effectively with home audiences than it did with reviewers.
