Animals: Release Date, Photos, Plot of Ben Affleck Thriller - Netflix Tudum

  • Deep Dive

    In the Animals Teaser, Ben Affleck and Kerry Washington Face a Mysterious Threat

    The political thriller is coming to Netflix on Oct. 9.

    By John DiLillo
    Aug. 12, 2026

How far would you go to protect your family? And who can you trust?

In Animals, Los Angeles mayoral candidate Mark Kimball (Ben Affleck) faces those very questions. When he receives an ominous phone call, Mark and his wife Abigail (Kerry Washington) scramble to respond to a threat that could upend their carefully constructed life.

Affleck also co-wrote and directed Animals. Over the more than 30 years of his Hollywood career, the star has appeared in films including Gone Girl and Shakespeare in Love, won an Academy Award for co-writing Good Will Hunting, and successfully pivoted to directing and producing, most famously with his Best Picture–winning historical thriller, Argo. Now, he invites you into the Kimballs’ home on the worst night of their life.

You can check out the evocative teaser trailer for Animals above, ahead of its release on Oct. 9. Also starring Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun, Luis Gerardo Méndez, and Adriana Paz, this is a heart-racing thriller with the glistening hills of Los Angeles as its backdrop.

A woman sits on a leather chair looking concerned, while a man stands behind her with arms crossed in a dimly lit office or library filled with shelves, books, and decorative objects.
Warrick Page/Netflix

The film is produced in partnership with Artists Equity, the artist-led studio founded by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Gerry Cardinale of RedBird Capital. It’s produced by Affleck, Damon, and Dani Bernfeld, alongside Brad Weston and Collin Creighton of Makeready, who developed the project in partnership with Fifth Season. 

Read on for more information about Animals, before it comes to Netflix this fall. 

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What is Animals about?

When their son is kidnapped, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate and his wife find themselves drawn into a web of deception. As they scramble to raise the ransom payment, they're forced to make choices that could tear their world apart.

Man in dark clothing stands indoors with arms crossed, leaning against a mantel with framed pictures and a vase, in a softly lit room with neutral decor and curtains in the background.

Who’s in the cast of Animals?

The cast of Animals includes:

A woman in a light suit and a man in a dark suit stand in a dimly lit hallway, framed by white columns, facing the camera with serious expressions, suggesting a tense or formal setting.
Warrick Page/Netflix

Can I see photos from Animals?

Yes, you can see first look photos throughout this article, featuring the cast dealing with the unfolding crisis in the only ways they know how.

Two concerned adults sit closely at a table in a dimly lit room, engaged in a serious conversation. The setting is a domestic environment with a warm-toned wall and household items present, suggesting an intense or emotional moment.
Warrick Page/Netflix

Where did Animals film?

Animals production took place in and around Los Angeles, embracing the city as an integral part of the story. The producers are committed to supporting the local film industry, keeping jobs within the community, and reinforcing LA as a hub for filmmaking. 

When will Animals be on Netflix?

Animals hits select theaters and Netflix on Oct. 9. Check back for more updates. 

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