The new film “Animals” (Animals, 2026) is one of those cases where even simply watching the performance of Ben Affleck is already interesting.
Here he not only plays the lead role but also serves as director and co-writer of the screenplay. Affleck plays Mark Kimball — a candidate for mayor of Los Angeles whose carefully constructed life begins to crumble after a child is kidnapped.
Affleck himself is, perhaps, the most interesting thing here.
He acts noticeably differently than in many of his previous films: less outward heroism, more inner tension, doubt, fear and a constant attempt to maintain control when everything around him begins to fall apart.
It is very good simply to watch him act.
Alongside him is an excellent cast: Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun, Adriana Paz, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Ray Fisher and others.
Especially good are Kerry Washington and Gillian Anderson. Each has a completely distinct energy, and both greatly reinforce the feeling that in this story no one can be trusted entirely.
By genre, this is more a psychological crime thrillerthan an ordinary film about a kidnapping.
What matters here is not only the events, but also how people change under pressure, what decisions they make, and what remains of a person when the familiar mask begins to slip.
Affleck himself said that he was especially interested in the question: who are we really when those masks disappear. And that comes through clearly throughout the entire film.
The film does not try to press down with action the whole time. The tension here builds gradually — through conversations, moral choices, distrust, and the sense that the situation is becoming more and more dangerous.
Overall — a good psychological thriller for fans of the genre.
Not a film that will necessarily appeal to everyone, but if you like stories about people placed in a situation where they have to choose between family, morality, and their own interests, it is worth watching.
And separately — for Ben Affleck.
Here he is truly good.
Gaya's rating: 7.1/10
