Ben Affleck flips the script on kidnap dramas by delivering a twisty crime thriller infused with social commentary and political themes. What starts as a run-of-the-mill rescue plot takes a wild turn a third of the way through, exposing its deeply flawed, morally gray protagonist. Rather than justifying or condemning the main character’s motives, Animals invites viewers to pass their own judgment. Audiences have now weighed in, reaching a sobering consensus on the film’s merits.
Affleck showcased his directorial prowess with Gone Baby Gone, his critically acclaimed debut. While his hot streak was dashed by Live by Night, that flop was still overshadowed by commercial hits Air, The Town, and Argo. The tide has turned again with Animals, which premiered with a mediocre 42% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Within just one day, that plummeted to 36%, accompanied by an equally dismal 41% audience score.
The reception was divided over the film’s plot twists, with some praising how these subverted expectations. “I love that it’s not actually about the kidnapping but the people involved and their thought processes and morals and conflicts,” one user wrote, primarily referring to Mark Kimball (Affleck)’s indefensible motivations. “Moral ambiguity is what drives the story forward,” another wrote. “A few scenes that feel like a straight-to-TV afternoon movie don’t do too much to shake the overall message that we, as animals, will prioritize our own self-interests over that of something as awful as murder and lies.”
Animals centers on a botched kidnapping that ultimately breaks Mark’s moral compass. A charismatic politician with lofty ambitions to become Los Angeles’ next mayor, his true nature is laid bare when he realizes how to exploit that crisis in his favor. By the end of the film, Mark has abandoned his ideals and fully embraced his own corruption.
One user argued that Affleck fumbled the execution, using characters as mere narrative devices to propel the story forward. “Pretty rubbishy. I wanted to enjoy it, I like Ben Affleck movies, and I like him as an actor, but this is just a mishmash of improbable characters in ridiculous situations making stupid decisions,” they stated. “I gave up after 40 minutes into the movie. It just couldn’t hold my attention any longer,” another asserted.
Animals has yet to receive a solidified consensus, but it’s within the range of Live by Night’s settled score on Rotten Tomatoes. One user encapsulated the film’s negative reception: “An election drama mixed with family drama didn’t work out. The direction of this film is quite stupid and shallow, lacking any depth.” For a filmmaker known for high-stakes thrillers with well-developed characters, Affleck’s latest venture is a reminder that even the most successful directors can lose their footing. Animals leaves viewers with a bleak reflection on human nature, even if the film itself struggles to survive the weight of its own ambitions.
Release Date
October 9, 2026
Runtime
106 minutes