Animals Movie Review: Ben Affleck And Kerry Washington Lead A Uneven Thriller

Animals is a crime thriller that combines a kidnapping crisis with political ambition, family secrets and moral dilemmas. Directed by Ben Affleck, the film stars Affleck alongside Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson and Steven Yeun. The story follows a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose life falls apart when a child is kidnapped and a ransom demand puts his family under pressure.

The premise offers plenty of opportunities for suspense and emotional conflict, but the film struggles to turn its promising setup into a consistently gripping thriller. Strong moments from the cast cannot fully overcome the uneven writing and lack of tension.

Animals Movie Details

Animals Story Overview

Mark Kimball (Ben Affleck) is a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose political ambitions depend on maintaining a respectable public image. His wife, Abigail (Kerry Washington), is part of the carefully constructed family life that supports his campaign.

Their world changes when they receive news that their son has been kidnapped. A ransom demand forces Mark to make difficult decisions while his campaign and personal life come under increasing pressure. Dayle Burton (Gillian Anderson), a ransom specialist, becomes involved as the family tries to understand the situation and work out how to respond. Meanwhile, Sam Allison (Steven Yeun), one of Mark's political allies, adds another layer to the crisis.

The situation becomes more complicated when it emerges that the kidnapped child is not Mark's son but the son of Cecilia (Adriana Paz), the family's housekeeper, and her husband, Ramon (Luis Gerardo Méndez). The rest of the story explores how the kidnapping exposes the characters' secrets, challenges their moral values and threatens to destroy the lives they have carefully built.

Animals Review: A Gripping Idea With Uneven Execution

The central premise of Animals is strong enough to support a tense thriller. A kidnapping involving a wealthy political family and a less privileged household creates an opportunity to explore inequality, public image and the different ways people respond to danger.

Unfortunately, the screenplay struggles to make the most of these ideas. The story introduces several moral and political conflicts but rarely develops them with enough depth. Just as a situation begins to become interesting, the narrative shifts toward another subplot or confrontation.

Ben Affleck gives Mark an ambitious and sometimes ruthless personality, but the character lacks the complexity needed to make his moral dilemmas genuinely compelling. The film wants viewers to question his beliefs, yet it does not always show enough of his internal struggle.

The kidnapping itself also loses some of its tension as the story progresses. Instead of building suspense through carefully developed twists, the screenplay relies on familiar thriller conventions and lengthy conversations. The political angle adds relevance, but the commentary on privilege and immigration can feel underdeveloped. These themes deserve more attention than the film ultimately gives them.

Also read: The Social Reckoning Review: A Timely, Thoughtful Drama

Ben Affleck And Kerry Washington Lead The Cast

Ben Affleck carries much of the film as Mark Kimball. He is convincing when portraying a man attempting to maintain control during a personal crisis, but the screenplay limits how much the character can develop. Kerry Washington brings intensity to Abigail, particularly in the scenes where the family faces the consequences of the kidnapping. However, her character's motivations and personal struggles are not explored consistently enough.

Gillian Anderson adds a welcome sense of authority as Dayle Burton. Her controlled performance brings some intrigue to the story, even though the role could have been given more depth. Steven Yeun provides a different energy as Sam Allison, helping connect the personal crisis to Mark's political ambitions. Adriana Paz and Luis Gerardo Méndez also contribute to the film's examination of the inequality at the heart of the story.

Technically, the film has a polished but surprisingly restrained look. The Los Angeles locations establish the setting, while the cinematography attempts to maintain a sense of urgency. However, the visual style rarely adds much tension, and some editing choices make the narrative feel disjointed.

What Are The Weak Points?

• Uneven Screenplay

• Weak Character Development

• Limited Suspense

• Underdeveloped Themes

Is Animals Worth Watching?

Watch it if you:

• Enjoy kidnapping thrillers

• Like Ben Affleck's films

• Prefer political crime dramas

• Appreciate morally complicated stories

Skip it if you:

• Expect relentless suspense

• Want tightly written mysteries

• Prefer developed supporting characters

• Seek fresh thriller concepts

Final Verdict

Animals has the ingredients for an engaging crime thriller, including a high-stakes kidnapping, political ambition and a cast capable of delivering strong performances. Its exploration of privilege and public image also gives the story the potential to become more than a conventional family-in-danger drama.

However, the uneven screenplay prevents these elements from coming together effectively. The characters lack sufficient depth, the suspense fades in several key moments, and the social commentary feels less developed than it should be. Ben Affleck and Kerry Washington remain watchable, while Gillian Anderson adds some intrigue to the supporting cast. Yet the film never quite delivers the gripping, emotionally complex thriller its premise promises.

Rating: 2.5/5

Overall, Animals is a watchable but disappointing drama that raises relevant questions without exploring them deeply enough. It may appeal to viewers looking for a crime thriller, but those expecting a tense and memorable cinematic experience may be left underwhelmed.

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