Directed by Ben Affleck.
Animals was released in select theaters on October 9, 2026.
Distributed by Netflix.
Animals (2026) Movie Review
Animals (2026) is a political thriller directed by Ben Affleck, featuring Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, and Steven Yeun.
The story follows a mayoral candidate and his wife as they struggle to secure ransom money after a kidnapping threatens their family and political ambitions.
The film combines family secrets, political pressure, and morally difficult decisions to create a tense atmosphere.
Strong performances, particularly from Gillian Anderson, help maintain interest throughout the story.
However, its complicated plot and uneven pacing sometimes weaken the suspense.
Overall, Animals offers an intriguing thriller about desperation, ambition, and the consequences of difficult choices.
CR Rating: 7.5/10.
Animals Actors
Ben Affleck as Mark Kimball
DOB: August 15, 1972.
American actor, screenwriter, director, and producer born in Berkeley, California, and raised in Massachusetts.
He rose to international prominence after co-writing and starring in Good Will Hunting alongside Matt Damon, earning an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Role: Mark Kimball is an independent candidate running for mayor of Los Angeles whose campaign is struggling under a substantial amount of debt.
Just days before the election, his carefully managed public image and family life are thrown into turmoil when he receives a threatening phone call claiming that his son has been kidnapped.
Interesting facts: Affleck directed, co-wrote, produced, and starred in Animals.
He has also discussed how the film examines the difference between people’s public moral beliefs and their actions when their interests are threatened.
Notable Works: Good Will Hunting, Argo, The Town, Gone Girl, Air, The Accountant.
Kerry Washington as Abigail Kimball
DOB: January 31, 1977.
American actress, producer, director, and activist born in the Bronx, New York City.
She earned a degree in performance studies from George Washington University and made her feature-film debut in Our Song (2000).
Role: Abigail Kimball is the wife of Los Angeles mayoral candidate Mark Kimball and the mother of their son, Denny.
A therapist whose personal life is more complicated than her public image suggests, Abigail is already dealing with marital difficulties when a kidnapping threat disrupts the family’s life.
Interesting facts: Washington is also known for her work as a producer and activist, including her involvement in initiatives supporting civic participation and social justice.
Notable Works: Scandal, Django Unchained, Ray, Little Fires Everywhere, The Last King of Scotland, American Son.
Gillian Anderson as Dayle Burton
DOB: August 9, 1968.
American-British actress, writer, and producer born in Chicago, Illinois.
She rose to international fame for playing FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the science-fiction series The X-Files, a role that earned her widespread recognition and major acting awards.
Role: Dayle Burton is a skilled fixer brought in by Sam Allison to help Mark and Abigail Kimball navigate a kidnapping crisis.
She quickly takes control of the situation inside the Kimball home, advising the couple on how to respond while insisting that they be completely honest with her.
Interesting facts: Director Ben Affleck suggested that Dayle should have a British accent, which Anderson incorporated into her performance.
Notable Works: The X-Files, The Fall, The Crown, Sex Education, Bleak House, The First Lady.
Steven Yeun as Sam Allison
DOB: December 21, 1983.
South Korean-born American actor who moved to the United States as a child and grew up in Michigan.
He first gained widespread recognition for playing Glenn Rhee in the AMC horror drama The Walking Dead.
Role: Sam Allison is Mark Kimball’s trusted campaign aide, determined to help his employer win the Los Angeles mayoral election.
When Mark’s son is kidnapped, Sam contacts Dayle Burton, a fixer he has worked with before, to help manage the crisis.
Interesting facts: Yeun described Sam as a man whose conscience has become less straightforward after years of working within political systems.
Notable Works: The Walking Dead, Minari, Beef, Burning, Sorry to Bother You, Mickey 17.
Adriana Paz as Cecilia Trujillo
DOB: January 13, 1980.
Mexican actress known for her work in Mexican cinema and international productions.
She studied acting at the Centro Universitario de Teatro at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and built her career through film, television, and theatre.
Role: Cecilia Trujillo is the Kimball family’s nanny and a devoted caregiver to their son, Denny, whom she loves as if he were her own child.
She has recently begun a relationship with Ramon, an immigrant laborer who is trying to find work in Los Angeles.
Interesting facts: Paz has spoken about wanting to challenge stereotypes that portray Mexican people and immigrants as criminals.
Notable Works: Emilia Pérez, Sangre llama sangre, La rebelión, The Huntress, Ashes.
Luis Gerardo Méndez as Ramon
DOB: March 12, 1982.
Mexican actor and producer who became widely known for his work in Mexican comedy and drama.
He gained international exposure through projects including Club de Cuervos and later appeared in English-language productions.
Role: Ramón is Cecilia Trujillo’s boyfriend, an undocumented Mexican immigrant who is looking for work with the Kimball family.
Mark initially hesitates to hire him because of the potential political fallout during his mayoral campaign.
Interesting facts: Méndez was excited to observe Ben Affleck’s directing process and learn from cinematographer Robert Elswit, whose work includes films by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Notable Works: Club de Cuervos, The Resort, The Envoys, Murder Mystery, Skincare, The Wig.
Christopher Woodley as Denny Kimball
DOB: N/A.
Christopher Woodley is an American child actor born in New York City.
He began acting at a young age, appearing in commercials before moving into television and film roles
Role: Denny Kimball is the young son of Los Angeles mayoral candidate Mark Kimball and his wife, Abigail.
On Halloween night, Denny goes trick-or-treating with Hector, the son of Cecilia’s boyfriend, Ramón.
Interesting facts: Woodley began acting at around six years old, appearing in regional and national commercials.
Notable Works: Our Son, FBI, Spirit Rangers, Little Brother.
Jacob Estrada as Hector
DOB: N/A.
Jacob Estrada is a young actor credited with playing Hector in Animals (2026), the crime thriller directed by Ben Affleck.
Publicly available information about Estrada’s early life, acting education, and professional background remains limited.
Role: Hector is the son whose abduction becomes entangled with the Kimball family’s crisis.
His situation exposes the difference between the family’s initial understanding of the kidnapping and the reality of who is actually in danger.
Interesting facts: Hector’s place in the story helps broaden the kidnapping narrative beyond the immediate concerns of the wealthy political family.
Notable Works: Every Step, Dhar Mann.
Ray Fisher as Ron Sperling
DOB: September 8, 1987.
American actor born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised in Lawnside, New Jersey.
He developed an interest in acting during high school and later studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.
Role: Ron Sperling is a UCLA professor who is secretly having an affair with Abigail Kimball, the wife of mayoral candidate Mark Kimball.
Their relationship is one of Abigail’s major secrets and adds another layer of tension to the Kimballs’ already troubled marriage.
Interesting facts: Fisher’s early professional experience was rooted in theatre, including stage productions before his breakout film appearances.
Notable Works: Justice League, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, True Detective, Being Heumann.
Taylor Cooper as Hannah
DOB: N/A.
American actress whose screen credits include film and television productions.
She has appeared as Rosie Turner in Rescue: HI-Surf, Meredith in The Morning Show, Serena Mendez in S.W.A.T., and Zadie in FBI: Most Wanted.
Role: Hannah is a supporting character in Animals.
Publicly available cast listings confirm Cooper’s role, but detailed information about Hannah’s background, motivations, and relationships with the main characters is limited.
Interesting facts: Cooper’s television credits include appearances in The Morning Show, S.W.A.T., and FBI: Most Wanted.
Notable Works: Rescue: HI-Surf, The Morning Show, S.W.A.T., FBI: Most Wanted, Killer Rental.
More Actors
• Chris Gann as Rand.
• Matt Gerald as James Bureaux.
• Craig Baxley Jr. as Kidnapper.
• Zack Duhame as Kidnapper.
• Brett Sheerin as Kidnapper.
• Levi Gilbert as Spotter.
• Kamy D. Bruder as Spotter.
• Christie Rios as Group Organizer.
• Xochitl Romero as Latin Interviewer.
FAQ – Animals (2026) Movie
What is Animals (2026) about?
Animals follows Mark Kimball, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate, and his wife, Abigail, as they scramble to raise ransom money after a kidnapping threatens their family and exposes troubling secrets.
What genre is Animals (2026)?
Animals is a political thriller that combines crime, drama, suspense, and psychological tension.
Is Animals (2026) based on a true story?
No official information identifies Animals as a true-story adaptation. It is presented as a fictional political thriller.
How long is Animals (2026)?
The movie has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes.
Where can I watch Animals (2026)?
The movie is available to stream on Netflix. Availability and subscription requirements may vary by country.
Conclusion
Animals (2026) delivers a tense political thriller filled with family secrets, suspense, and difficult choices.
Despite some pacing issues, its strong cast and intriguing premise make it worth considering for fans of crime dramas and psychological thrillers.