After sleeping almost the entire day, I finally got the chance to sit down, relax, and watch Animals on Netflix. Sometimes, all you need is a slow day, a comfortable spot at home, and a good movie to keep you company. And knowing that it stars Ben Affleck and Kerry Washington, two actors I genuinely enjoy watching, made it an easy choice. I have always been drawn to tense dramas involving politics, powerful people, family secrets, and moral compromises. Give me a story where everything starts falling apart and people are pushed into making difficult decisions, and you have my attention. Going into Animals, I was hoping for exactly that kind of gripping thriller.
I am a huge fan of Kerry Washington, and Ben Affleck, of course, is another actor whose work I have followed over the years. Seeing them in a story that combines family drama, political ambition, and a terrifying crisis was enough to get me interested. The film has a promising opening that immediately establishes the tension and makes you curious about what will happen next. There is a sense of urgency that pulls you into the story, and for a while, I was genuinely interested in seeing how everything would unfold.
The premise is compelling, particularly because it puts people in positions of privilege under extraordinary pressure. When a family faces a devastating crisis, the decisions they make can reveal more about their character than anything else. Add politics to the equation, where reputation and public perception matter just as much as personal survival, and you have a setup that could lead to some fascinating drama. Animals understands this and builds its early momentum around that uncomfortable intersection of family, power, and desperation.
As the story progresses, though, the momentum begins to fade. That’s just me, but I was hoping the film would sustain the intensity of its opening, and the latter part didn’t quite deliver the payoff I wanted. The premise is interesting, but I couldn’t help feeling that it could have done so much more with its story. Oh, by the way, watching Animals also made me miss LA! There’s something about seeing Los Angeles as the backdrop of a tense political thriller that makes me nostalgic for the city. I’m glad I’ll be visiting again this month, so I guess this movie gave me another reason to look forward to being back in LA!
That said, Kerry Washington remains one of the reasons I enjoyed watching. I have always appreciated her screen presence, especially in projects that require a character to navigate complicated personal and professional situations. Ben Affleck also fits naturally into this kind of drama, bringing the weight and seriousness that the story needs. Their involvement gives the film an added appeal, even when the narrative itself does not fully live up to its potential.
Sometimes, I revisit a few episodes of Shonda Rhimes’ Scandal just to relive that feeling of being consumed by political drama, secrets, and power plays. I also remember watching Argo in the cinema and feeling the tension build with every scene. That’s the kind of storytelling I love—the kind that keeps you on edge and makes you forget you’re just watching a movie.
Another thing I appreciated, perhaps unexpectedly, was the house. I know this might sound like a very particular observation in a movie review, but I always find myself paying attention to the homes featured in films and television shows. The design, the interiors, the layout, and the overall atmosphere can be just as interesting to me as the story unfolding on screen. The house in Animals gave me a few ideas and inspiration for home design, which is always a welcome bonus when I watch something at home.
What happened to infidelity? They didnt explore this much. Anyhow.
Watching Animals also reminded me of two Filipino films, Dukot and Graceland. Both explore the terrifying consequences of kidnapping and the way ordinary people can become trapped in situations shaped by power, desperation, and corruption. While the stories are not identical, they share that same intense and complicated quality, where personal relationships collide with circumstances that are difficult to control. It made me think about how Philippine cinema has also explored these uncomfortable realities, often through stories that expose the gap between those who have power and those who are left vulnerable.
Ultimately, Animals is an OK film. I would not call it an extraordinary piece of cinema, and I wish it had maintained the strength of its opening all the way to the end. Still, it has enough going for it to make for an entertaining movie night, especially if you enjoy political dramas, crime thrillers, and stories about people pushed to their limits. Sometimes, you do not need a masterpiece to enjoy an evening in front of the television. You just need a film with an interesting premise, actors you like, and enough tension to keep you watching.
For me, Animals falls into that category. It starts strong, becomes less satisfying as it goes along, but remains a decent choice for a popcorn night at home. And if you are a fan of Kerry Washington, Ben Affleck, or complicated thrillers involving politics and family, it is worth giving a try. Just keep your expectations in check.
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