“Animals” (2026) directed by Ben Affleck, starring Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson and Steven Yeun / Z-View

Posted on by

Animals (2026)

Director: Ben Affleck

Screenplay:  Connor O. McIntyre, Billy Ray, Ben Affleck

Stars:  Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Adriana Paz, Ray Fisher, Luis Gerardo Méndez and Steven Yeun.

Tagline: Power can’t protect you.

The Plot…

Mark Kimball is an independent candidate running for Mayor of Los Angeles.  The race has been an uphill battle that’s put a strain on his marriage to Abigail.

With election day near, Mark is just a few percentage points from the lead.  To get money needed to put him over the top, Mark secretly signs over his family’s savings.  Once he wins, the money will be paid back.

Then the unthinkable happens. Mark and Abigail’s son is kidnapped.  The kidnapper’s ransom demand is out of reach since Mark secretly used the money for his campaign.  If they go to the police, the kidnappers promise to kill their son.

With nowhere else to turn Mark and Abigail enlist the aid of Dayle.  Dayle works outside the law, but has success in dealing with kidnappers.  Dayle doesn’t come cheap and payment delays carry a high interest rate.  As Dayle questions Mark and Abigail secrets held by each are exposed.

Then something unexpected happens.  And it changes everything.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Animals was originally going to star Matt Damon and Jennifer Garner (Ben Affleck’s ex-wife) with Affleck still directing.  When filming was delayed, Damon had to back out.  With Damon out, Affleck decided to take the starring role.  Garner then decided to pass on her role.  Kerry Washington was then signed.

Just weeks before filming was to start, Affleck halted production.  Highest 2 Lowest directed by Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington had been announced.  The plots of Animals and Highest 2 Lowest were similar.  Affleck decided to make changes to Animals to make it a more morally ambiguous drama exploring marriage, public image, and personal integrity.

Gillian Anderson is excellent as Dayle.  It’s my favorite of Gillian Anderson role.

Animals (2026) rates 4 of 5 stars.