Ben Affleck’s new “heart-racing” thriller Animals has confirmed a release date alongside a new teaser and stills. Also starring Gillian Anderson, the upcoming movie focuses on the kidnapping of a Los Angeles mayoral candidate’s son.
There, he and his wife (played by Kerry Washington) “find themselves drawn into a web of deception”, and “as they scramble to raise the ransom payment, they’re forced to make choices that could tear their world apart”.
Netflix has now announced that Animals will drop on the streamer on 9 October, while a trailer has also been released.
Netflix
Netflix
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In the dialogue-free clip, we see a montage of Affleck and Washington’s characters’ Mark Kimball and Abigail’s lives, which descend into deep distress when their son disappears. Ther’s also the arrival of Anderson’s character, who is suited-up.
The star-studded cast also includes Beef’s Steven Yeun, Spectre’s Adriana Paz, Murder Mystery’s Luis Gerardo Méndez, Justice League’s Ray Fisher, Puncture’s Mark Kassen and Law & Order: SVU’s Christopher Woodley.
Affleck is also on board as director, as well as co-writer alongside Connor O McIntyre and Billy Ray.
The director’s long-term collaborative partner Matt Damon was originally slated to star, though dropped out of the project in February 2025. That was reportedly due scheduling conflicts with the recently-released blockbuster The Odyssey. However, he’s still on board as a producer.
Netflix
Netflix
Netflix
Earlier this year, the pair landed a huge deal with Netflix for their company Artists Equity after the success of thriller The Rip.
The first-look deal is reported as a “multi-year production and distribution pact”, and “under the terms of the partnership, Artists Equity will handle creative and production for its movies” (via Variety).
Animals will be released on Netflix on 9 October.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.