Ben Affleck directs and stars in Netflix thriller Animals

Netflix has released the trailer for Animals, a crime thriller directed by and starring Ben Affleck. The film follows Mark Kimball, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate, and his wife Abigail, played by Kerry Washington, as they navigate a high-stakes kidnapping of their son. The plot explores the tension between their public political personas and the private secrets revealed during the ransom crisis.

The production underwent significant changes during development. Originally, Matt Damon was set to star alongside Jennifer Garner, but scheduling conflicts led Affleck to take the lead role himself. Affleck revealed that he initially considered casting his ex-wife, Garner, but both parties decided against it to avoid bringing personal ‘baggage’ to the screen. Kerry Washington was subsequently cast in the role of Abigail.

The ensemble cast includes Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun, Luis Gerardo Méndez, and Adriana Paz. Animals is scheduled for release on Netflix and in select theaters on October 9, 2026.