Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Twisty Affleck thriller has violence, language, sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Animals (2026)
What's the Story?
In ANIMALS, Mark Kimball (Ben Affleck) is running for mayor of Los Angeles when his son (Christopher Woodley) is kidnapped and held for ransom. Mark and his wife, Abby (Kerry Washington), need to come up with millions of dollars or risk their son being killed. Mark's campaign manager, Sam (Steven Yuen), offers to bring in a mysterious handler, Dayle (Gillian Anderson), who can get the money for a very steep fee. Meanwhile, the Kimballs' nanny, Cecilia (Adriana Paz), her boyfriend Ramon (Luis Gerardo Mendez), and his son Hector (Jacob Estrada) will get drawn into the drama—like it or not.
Is It Any Good?
With a prestigious cast, a noir Los Angeles setting, and unexpected plot twists, Ben Affleck's latest directorial turn makes for a suspenseful watch. Animals introduces layers of themes about marriage, public persona, truth-telling versus storytelling, the elasticity of our values, and the meaning of heroism. Affleck and Washington make for a believably rocky couple and concerned parents, while Yuen and Anderson bring interestingly murky characters into the fold. Mexican actors Paz and Mendez round out the compelling cast facing a series of moral dilemmas that get twistier as the night progresses. Only the finale strikes a discordant note as it feels just a little too neat for the rest of this intentionally messy tale.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what surprised you the most in Animals. The film takes several plot turns. Which did you least expect?
What messages does this film have about politicians? Which did you feel are the most accurate?
What characters emerge unscathed by moral compromise or scandal? Did you find the story cynical or uplifting? Why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 9, 2026
- Cast : Ben Affleck , Kerry Washington , Gillian Anderson
- Director : Ben Affleck
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Family Stories ( Dads , Moms )
- Run time : 108 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout, some violence and sexual references
- Last updated : October 8, 2026
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