Picture Credit: Netflix
Ben Affleck is having a mammoth year on Netflix. Hot on the heels of his smash-hit action-thriller The Rip—which narrowly missed out on breaking into Netflix’s all-time top 10 list earlier this year (and selling his AI company to the streamer)—Affleck is back in the director’s chair (and starring) for his second major Netflix feature of 2026: Animals.
Netflix has just dropped the gripping first trailer and a batch of first-look images for the highly anticipated R-rated thriller. From the looks of it, we’re in for a gritty, suspenseful ride.
Animals is officially set to premiere in select theaters and globally on Netflix on October 9th, 2026.
Before we dive into the wild development history and the stacked cast list, let’s take a look at the brand-new trailer and the first-look images that just dropped:
A Long Road to the Screen: What is Animals about?
If you’ve been following our previous coverage of Animals, you’ll know this project has had quite the journey. Originally announced back in 2024, the film was initially put on hold. Why? Scheduling conflicts with Affleck filming The Accountant 2.
Because of the delay into 2025, Matt Damon—who was originally attached to play the lead role of Los Angeles mayoral candidate Mark Kimball—had to step away due to his own commitments to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Rather than recast, Affleck stepped up to tackle the lead role himself, making him the director, a co-writer, and the lead star simultaneously.
Now, the wait is finally almost over. Clocking in at a tight 1 hour and 45 minutes, the film looks to be a fast-paced thriller to close out the year. Here is the official logline provided by Netflix:
“When their son is kidnapped, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate and his wife find themselves drawn into a web of deception. As they scramble to raise the ransom payment, they’re forced to make choices that could tear their world apart.”
We now know that Affleck plays the mayoral candidate, Milo Bradford, with Netflix veteran Gillian Anderson stepping into the role of a high-powered fixer. Christopher Woodley plays their kidnapped son, while Kerry Washington stars as Mark’s wife and Steven Yeun plays Mark’s campaign manager.
ANIMALS. (L to R) Kerry Washington as Abigail and Ben Affleck as Mark in Animals. Cr. Warrick Page/Netflix © 2026.
ANIMALS. (L to R) Ben Affleck as Mark and Gillian Anderson as Dayle in Animals. Cr. Warrick Page/Netflix © 2026.
ANIMALS. (L to R) Kerry Washington as Abigail and Ben Affleck as Mark in Animals. Cr. Warrick Page/Netflix © 2026.
ANIMALS. Steven Yeun as Sam in Animals. Cr. Warrick Page/Netflix © 2026.
ANIMALS. (L to R) Luis Gerardo Méndez as Ramon and Adriana Paz as Cecilia in Animals. Cr. Warrick Page/Netflix © 2026.
ANIMALS. (L to R) Kerry Washington as Abigail and Christopher Woodley as Denny in Animals. Cr. Warrick Page/Netflix © 2026.
Who is behind Animals on Netflix?
As mentioned, Ben Affleck is pulling triple duty on this one. Not only is he starring and directing, but he also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Connor O. McIntyre and Billy Ray (Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games).
The movie is the latest production under Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity banner, which has a lucrative multi-year deal with Netflix. The film was developed in partnership with Fifth Season.
The extensive producing team includes Brad Weston, Collin Creighton, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Dani Bernfeld, and Luciana Damon. 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.
Who is in the cast of Animals?
While Jennifer Garner was in early talks for the role of the wife back in early 2024, the role ultimately went to Gillian Anderson (Sex Education, The Crown). Leading the film alongside Affleck and Anderson is Emmy-winner Kerry Washington (Scandal, The Six Triple Eight).
Rounding out the incredibly impressive ensemble cast are:
- Steven Yeun (Beef, The Rip)
- Luis Gerardo Méndez (Narcos: Mexico, Murder Mystery)
- Adriana Paz (Vis a Vis)
- Ray Fisher (Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Rebel Moon)
- Christopher Woodley (Our Son)
- Matt Gerald (Avatar, Daredevil)
- Jacob Estrada
Will you be checking out Animals when it drops on Netflix this October 9th? Let us know in the comments down below!
