Ben Affleck is back in the director’s chair and pulling triple duty this time. Netflix has released the first teaser trailer for Animals, the R-rated thriller in which Affleck directs, co-writes and stars alongside Kerry Washington and Gillian Anderson. The film arrives in select theaters and globally on Netflix on October 9.
The wordless teaser builds tension slowly, offering glimpses of a Los Angeles mayoral candidate and his family before a ringing phone shatters their world. When their son is kidnapped, the candidate and his wife find themselves drawn into a web of deception, forced to make impossible choices as they scramble to raise the ransom payment. Also seen in the trailer are Steven Yeun, appearing as an assistant to Affleck’s character, and Gillian Anderson, who appears connected to the ensuing investigation.
Affleck plays mayoral candidate Mark, with Anderson as his wife Dayle and Washington as Abigail, his campaign manager whose campaign funds may hold the key to the ransom. Christopher Woodley plays Denny, the kidnapped son. The ensemble cast also includes Steven Yeun, Adriana Paz, Ray Fisher, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Matt Gerald and Jacob Estrada.
The film has an interesting origin story. Matt Damon was originally attached to play the lead role but had to step away due to his commitment to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Rather than recast, Affleck stepped in to take the lead himself. It is his first time directing and starring simultaneously since 2023’s Air.
Affleck co-wrote the script alongside Connor O. McIntyre and Billy Ray, known for Captain Phillips and The Hunger Games. The film is the latest from Affleck and Damon’s Artists Equity production banner, which has a multi-year deal with Netflix. Previous Artists Equity projects include The Rip, The Accountant 2 and The Kiss of the Spider Woman. The film was produced in partnership with Fifth Season.
Producers include Affleck, Damon, Dani Bernfeld, Brad Weston and Collin Creighton. Executive producers include Michael Beugg, Kevin Halloran and Michael Joe for Artists Equity and Graham Taylor, Chris Rice, Christopher Slager and Dan Guando for Fifth Season.
Animals opens in select theaters and streams globally on Netflix on October 9.
