Animals on Netflix: Ben Affleck's Kidnapping Thriller, Cast and Reviews
Animals is now streaming on Netflix. It premiered on Friday, October 9, 2026. Ben Affleck directs and stars as Mark Kimball, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped. With only hours to raise a ransom and most of their money spent on the campaign, Mark and his wife Abigail (Kerry Washington) have to do things they never wanted the public to see.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Ben Affleck | Mark Kimball, also the film's director |
| Kerry Washington | Abigail Kimball |
| Gillian Anderson | Dayle Burton, a political fixer |
| Steven Yeun, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Adriana Paz, Ray Fisher, Christopher Woodley | Supporting cast |
The script is by Connor O. McIntyre, Billy Ray and Affleck, and Robert Elswit (The Town, There Will Be Blood) shot it. The film comes after Affleck's other recent Netflix movie, The Rip, with Matt Damon.
What critics are saying
The reviews are mostly negative. As of the October 9 premiere, Animals had 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 31 on Metacritic, which Metacritic rates "generally unfavorable." Critics compared it to Kurosawa's High and Low and Spike Lee's Highest 2 Lowest, which use the same kidnapping setup, and many said it doesn't match Gone Baby Gone or The Town. Affleck's performance as a politician working hard to seem down-to-earth drew the most praise. Netflix also asked critics not to reveal the twist, so it isn't spoiled here.
Should you watch it?
If you liked Ransom or Affleck's earlier crime films, it's an easy pick for a Friday night, as long as you keep expectations modest. If you want a sharper version of the same story, High and Low is the classic.
How to watch Animals with DIRECTV
Animals is a Netflix original and is available only on Netflix. Netflix comes preloaded on DIRECTV Gemini devices, and DIRECTV customers can add Netflix to their DIRECTV bill. See how to get Netflix on DIRECTV. As of October 2026, Netflix costs $8.99 a month for Standard with ads, $19.99 for Standard and $26.99 for Premium. Our Netflix plans and pricing review has more. Questions about adding Netflix to a DIRECTV package? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
When did Animals come out on Netflix?
Friday, October 9, 2026.
Who directed Animals?
Ben Affleck directed it and plays the lead, Mark Kimball.
Is Animals in theaters?
No. It's a Netflix original made for streaming.
Is Animals good?
Critics are mixed to negative, with 42% on Rotten Tomatoes and 31 on Metacritic at launch. Viewers who like star-driven thrillers may still enjoy it.
Details reviewed October 12, 2026 (ET). Based on Netflix's title listing and review aggregator scores reported at launch. Scores change over time. Animals, Netflix, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.