Animals Review: A Cynical and Disposable Netflix Thriller from Ben Affleck
- Ben Affleck’s latest directorial feature, Animals, arrived on Netflix on October 9, 2026, centering on a high-stakes kidnapping plot that tests the moral boundaries of a fictional Los...
- In the film, Mark Kimball (Affleck) is a former lawyer and Gulf War veteran running for mayor of Los Angeles.
- The narrative hinges on whether Kimball—who would have paid the ransom for his own son—will secure the funds to save the child of an employee.
Ben Affleck’s latest directorial feature, Animals, arrived on Netflix on October 9, 2026, centering on a high-stakes kidnapping plot that tests the moral boundaries of a fictional Los Angeles mayoral candidate. The film, which stars Affleck alongside Kerry Washington and Gillian Anderson, has drawn comparisons to Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 thriller High and Low due to its narrative structure, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Some critics noted that Animals functions as a streaming project from the Artists Equity studio, with one reviewer suggesting that after watching back-to-back features, the film provided a relief from other recent releases.
The $7 Million Ransom Plot
In the film, Mark Kimball (Affleck) is a former lawyer and Gulf War veteran running for mayor of Los Angeles. As detailed by Variety, Kimball has exhausted his personal savings to fund his campaign, a fact he keeps hidden from his wife, Abigail (Washington). The film opens with a knowingly smarmy campaign ad designed to hit demographic targets while concealing that the family resides in a Beverly Hills property worth over $10 million. The central conflict begins on Halloween when Kimball receives a demand for a $7 million ransom for his son. However, the kidnappers mistakenly abduct the son of Ramon, an undocumented worker employed by the Kimballs’ nanny, according to Pajiba. While the couple maintains a public image of equality, Variety noted that Abigail briskly refuses to hire Ramon because his status as an illegal immigrant could endanger the campaign.
The narrative hinges on whether Kimball—who would have paid the ransom for his own son—will secure the funds to save the child of an employee. As DP Robert Elswit’s camera focuses on a Mexican American family, Mark uses the practiced tone of a radio announcer to promise, I will not lie to you
and I will respect each and every one of you as equals.
Pajiba noted that while the premise offers an opportunity to explore deep ethical complexity, the film instead opts for a cynical conclusion. Variety described the film as slick, pacy serving of all-star pulp
that avoids the prestige weight often associated with Affleck’s previous directorial work.
The Role of Dayle Burton
Gillian Anderson appears as Dayle Burton, a high-end fixer hired by the campaign to handle the kidnapping crisis. The Hollywood Reporter highlighted Anderson’s performance, noting that she provides a spicy tang
to the film and noting her role is a departure from her work in Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Burton operates under a strict professional mandate, demanding a $1.4 million fee regardless of the outcome, with double that amount if she is required to introduce what she terms kinetic energy
to the situation.
Industry Comparisons and Production Context
The film’s reliance on the kidnapping narrative has led to critiques regarding its proximity to existing works. The Hollywood Reporter observed that Animals lifts foundational elements from High and Low, including the wealthy protagonist who has leveraged his assets and the unease between staff and employers, without acknowledging the 1963 classic. Variety pointed out that while the film is a product of Artists Equity—the studio founded by Affleck and Matt Damon—it is positioned as a direct-to-streaming title rather than an awards-season contender. The Hollywood Reporter added that the film too rarely shows its teeth.
The production, written by Connor McIntyre, Billy Ray, and Affleck, faces criticism for its character development. Pajiba reported that the kidnappers remain largely undefined, functioning as non-player characters rather than developed antagonists. The film resolves the tension through a shootout, a departure from the more character-driven dramas like The Town or Gone Baby Gone that previously defined Affleck’s directorial career.
Stakes for the Mayoral Campaign
Beyond the kidnapping, the film tracks Kimball’s attempts to capture the Latino vote, a demographic his campaign manager, Sam Allison (Steven Yeun), identifies as essential for victory. The Hollywood Reporter noted that the film uses the campaign’s political maneuvering to highlight the class divide between the Kimballs and their employees. While the couple maintains a public image of equality, the film reveals the legal and personal limits of their support for their staff.
The release of Animals follows Affleck’s 2023 film Air, which saw more favorable critical reception. Industry observers, including Variety, categorize this latest project as a professional, audience-minded effort designed for the streaming market rather than a major artistic pivot. The film’s focus on the $7 million figure serves as a recurring pivot point, dictating both the campaign’s financial stability and the moral choices of the protagonist.